'HUGE RIFT': Tulsi Gabbard says Zelenskyy's ‘escalation’ was 'quite a surprise'

The Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, joined Fox News Sunday to discuss the intelligence community’s perspective on Vladimir Putin and his future ambitions. She emphasized President Trump’s goal of ending the war in Ukraine and the stark differences in approach between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Gabbard highlighted Trump’s commitment to peace and his belief that he is the only leader capable of negotiating an end to the war. She contrasted this with Zelensky’s stance, stating that the Ukrainian leader is unwilling to accept any outcome short of victory, even if it risks escalating the conflict to World War III or nuclear war. Gabbard pointed out the divergence between Trump’s priorities—peace, freedom, and American interests—and the European leaders who continue to support Zelensky’s position.

When asked about the next steps in negotiations, Gabbard criticized the Biden administration for its lack of dialogue with Putin over the years. She acknowledged that Trump is actively engaging with both Putin and Zelensky, seeking honest negotiations. However, she noted that Zelensky’s recent public challenge to Trump in the White House demonstrated a lack of genuine interest in diplomacy. According to Gabbard, pre-visit discussions between representatives of both leaders had indicated a different tone, making Zelensky’s aggressive stance surprising and detrimental to progress.

She also addressed concerns regarding ceasefires, explaining that while Zelensky argues that Putin repeatedly violated them, the ongoing war is causing immense destruction to Ukraine. Gabbard asserted that Trump recognizes the reality of this prolonged conflict and is determined to bring it to an end through negotiation. She acknowledged that neither side would be completely satisfied with any agreement, but achieving peace is the ultimate priority to prevent further loss of life and escalation.

A recent Quinnipiac poll showed that 81% of Americans distrust Putin. When asked why Trump continues to engage with him, Gabbard explained that Trump approaches negotiations with a strategic and realistic mindset. Rather than trusting Putin blindly, he focuses on what is best for the American people—ensuring peace and stability while upholding democratic values.

She dismissed concerns that Russia’s praise for Trump’s approach implies alignment with Russian interests. Instead, she emphasized that Americans should focus on their own national interests. She also criticized European allies, suggesting that their support for continued war contradicts their stated commitment to democracy and freedom. She pointed to actions in Ukraine, such as restrictions on elections, political opposition, and media control, as evidence that the country’s government is not fully aligned with democratic principles.

Ultimately, Gabbard reiterated Trump’s primary objective: to secure peace through fair negotiations. She warned that continuing the war could lead to catastrophic consequences, including World War III. While acknowledging the complexities of the situation, she reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to prioritizing American interests and preventing further escalation of the conflict.

The discussion concluded with anticipation of how negotiations with Ukraine might unfold moving forward, emphasizing the critical importance of diplomatic efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution.