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Rep. Don Bacon: White House Lacks 'Moral Clarity' on Ukraine, Urges Firmer U.S. Stance

Rep. Don Bacon criticized the White House for lacking "moral clarity" on Ukraine and urged a stronger U.S. defense of Ukrainian sovereignty amid ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. He described the initial 28-point proposal as effectively a “surrender document,” while acknowledging later revisions. Bacon also expressed alarm at reporting that wealthy associates of the president could benefit from a deal and warned that Putin seeks control over additional Ukrainian territory rather than a durable, sovereign peace.

08:49 AM, 12/01/2025Politics

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) criticized the White House on Sunday for what he described as a lack of "moral clarity" in handling the war in Ukraine, and urged the administration to more forcefully defend Ukraine's sovereignty as peace talks with Russia continue.

“I would like to see the president be a stronger advocate for the free country, the sovereign country of Ukraine that wants to be a democracy, wants to be allied with us, and have a little more clear-eyed view of who [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is — that Putin is the invader. He’s the dictator. He has murdered all of his opponents,” Bacon told ABC News’s This Week. “But I just don’t see that moral clarity coming from the White House.”

Bacon, a moderate Republican, said the administration has sent mixed signals since releasing an initial 28-point peace proposal earlier this month that critics argued favored Russia. He called that first draft “a surrender document” that would have left Ukraine vulnerable for decades, but said subsequent revisions have moved the proposal closer to the center.

The congressman also pointed to a recent Wall Street Journal report suggesting that wealthy associates of the president could stand to benefit financially from a favorable agreement. “That alarms me tremendously,” Bacon said, adding that such economic interests should not take precedence over Ukraine’s sovereignty.

On Russian motives, Bacon warned that Putin is not seeking a genuine, sovereign peace. “He does not want a peace agreement with Ukraine that leaves Ukraine a sovereign country that can be allied with the West,” Bacon said. “He wants to control another third of Ukraine. He would like to make Ukraine a vassal state.”

Bacon urged the administration to clearly distinguish between legitimate negotiations and arrangements that would effectively cede Ukrainian territory or influence to Moscow. He argued that economic deals involving rare-earth minerals, pipelines or other assets should not be negotiated at Ukraine’s expense.

As talks continue, Bacon called for stronger, unequivocal U.S. advocacy for Ukraine’s independence and democratic aspirations, saying a clear-eyed approach to Putin’s intentions is essential to securing a lasting and just peace.

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