Gen. C.Q. Brown, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed former President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to end Russia’s war in Ukraine within 24 hours. Brown expressed that it would “be great” if Trump could achieve this, while also highlighting the risks of the U.S. and its allies cutting support for Kyiv.
Gen. Brown’s Response to Trump’s Pledge
During the Aspen Security Forum, Gen. Brown addressed a question from Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin regarding Trump’s pledge to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv quickly. Brown, who was appointed as Air Force chief of staff by Trump and later named top military adviser by President Joe Biden, shared his thoughts on this ambitious proposal.
“If he can get it done in 24 hours, that’d be great,” Brown remarked. “It stops the conflict … and then we get back to more global security.”
Concerns Over U.S. and Allied Support for Ukraine
Brown’s comments come amid growing concerns in the U.S. and Europe that Trump might reverse America’s commitments to transatlantic partnerships and significantly reduce military support for Ukraine. While Trump’s allies insist that he will support Ukraine as president, contingent on European allies meeting their defense spending obligations, there are serious worries about the implications of such a shift in policy.
Brown cautioned that a sudden withdrawal of support for Ukraine, as suggested by Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), could lead to a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin would win,” Brown warned, emphasizing the broader implications of such a scenario.
The Importance of Continued Support for Ukraine
Gen. Brown stressed the significance of maintaining support for Ukraine to prevent the conflict from escalating and setting a dangerous precedent on the global stage. “We have credibility that’s at stake … it’s not just the United States, but NATO, the West, if we just back away. And that opens the door for [Chinese leader] Xi Jinping and others that want to do unprovoked aggression,” Brown stated.
“It’s important that we continue to provide support to Ukraine so it doesn’t go into a broader conflict as well,” he continued. “Hard leadership matters.”
Brown’s Remarks on President Biden’s Leadership
During the event, Brown was also questioned about President Biden’s mental acuity and his capability to lead. Brown defended the president, sharing his personal experiences and interactions with him.
“All the times I’ve engaged with the president, he’s been engaged,” Brown stated. “He’s asked us, you know, asked very pointed questions, and made decisions and, I mean, I’ll just leave it at that.”
Global Security and Leadership Dynamics
Gen. Brown’s comments highlight the high stakes of the U.S. and NATO’s involvement in Ukraine and the broader implications for global security and leadership dynamics. The ongoing conflict and the decisions made by global leaders will have lasting impacts on international relations and stability.
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