As President Donald Trump leads America back onto the world stage, one Republican lawmaker is raising red flags about the coming showdown over Russia’s bloody war in Ukraine. Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) told Newsmax on Sunday that Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted — and that Trump’s strength is the only thing standing between peace and another global disaster.
Trump’s Strength vs. Biden’s Weakness
McCormick didn’t mince words: if Trump had been in the White House, Russia never would have invaded Ukraine. He reminded viewers that Putin seized Crimea under Barack Obama, launched a full-scale war under Joe Biden, but held back when Trump was president.
“If Trump was president, this never would have happened,” McCormick said. “Weakness always results in war. Strength equals peace.”
The Georgia Republican slammed Biden’s feeble foreign policy, arguing that America’s enemies only advance when Democrats show weakness.
What’s at Stake: Food, Energy, and Security
The congressman warned that Ukraine isn’t just another battlefield — it’s the breadbasket of Europe. Ukraine produces 70% of Europe’s grain and holds massive reserves of cobalt, lithium, and uranium. A Russian takeover, McCormick said, would hand Moscow control over food supplies, energy resources, and critical minerals that power modern economies.
“This is going to be high stakes for the entire world,” he cautioned.
NATO on Edge as Putin Pushes Further
Even though Europe’s $20 trillion economy dwarfs Russia’s, McCormick said Putin’s nonstop military buildup has NATO allies on high alert. “The whole reason NATO was created was to counter Russian aggression. That hasn’t changed,” he said.
The congressman reminded Americans that NATO’s future is tied directly to American leadership — and Trump is the one leader willing to hold Russia accountable while protecting U.S. interests.
Putin’s Gamble vs. Zelenskyy’s Stand
McCormick believes Putin may be demanding more territory than he realistically expects, using it as leverage in negotiations. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refused to budge, insisting that Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders must be respected.
“They wanted Ukraine to fold. They wanted Zelenskyy to flee, just like Biden predicted. But he stood firm — and that made all the difference,” McCormick said.
The Bloody Cost of Biden’s Failure
The price of Biden’s weakness has already been staggering: tens of thousands dead, more than a million Russian casualties, and even 40,000 Korean troops pulled into the conflict.
“This war has drained billions of dollars and cost countless lives. It never should have reached this point. The world needs peace — but not on Putin’s terms,” McCormick concluded.