President-elect Donald Trump is deeply worried about the intensifying use of advanced munitions in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, his incoming national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz, said on Sunday.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Waltz criticized the Biden administration’s decision to authorize the use of anti-personnel landmines by Ukraine to impede Russia’s ground troop advances. Waltz compared the brutal conditions in eastern Ukraine to “World War I trench warfare,” emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to bring the conflict to an end.
“It is just an absolute meat grinder of people and personnel on that front,” Waltz said. “This needs to be within a broader framework to end this conflict responsibly.”
The U.S. decision to supply anti-personnel mines follows a shift in Russia’s military tactics, with more ground troops leading its advances instead of armored units, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The mines, Austin argued, could help slow these offensives.
Waltz, however, cautioned against further escalation, citing recent developments as troubling. Following North Korea’s deployment of 10,000 troops to aid Russia, Ukraine retaliated with U.S.-supplied missiles targeting deep inside Russian territory, including weapon stockpiles in Bryansk. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an experimental rocket at Dnipro, marking a significant escalation.
“This is a clear escalation,” Waltz said. “Where is this going? How do we get both sides to the table for peace negotiations?”
Waltz reiterated Trump’s confidence in ending the conflict swiftly after his inauguration on January 20, but details remain vague. While Trump has promised to restore deterrence and bring peace, he has not articulated a clear plan, avoiding direct statements on whether he believes Ukraine should prevail in the war.
“Our focus must be on restoring deterrence and bringing peace,” Waltz said. “We need to bring this to a responsible end.”
Trump has previously asserted that he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine war even before officially assuming office, though he has refrained from explaining how he intends to achieve this.
Waltz acknowledged the broader geopolitical stakes, including simmering conflicts in the Middle East, where Trump has pledged to stabilize the region. However, ongoing cease-fire talks between Israel and Iran-backed groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, remain deadlocked, further complicating Trump’s ambitious peace agenda.
As the incoming administration prepares to take office, the world watches closely for signs of a shift in U.S. foreign policy that could reshape the trajectory of these overlapping crises.
