section_path: Political positions/Russia and Ukraine
section_name: Russia and Ukraine
paragraph_text: Russia and Ukraine
  
  While initially backing Ukraine following the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022, he indicated that his views have evolved to a less supportive position in 2024. In 2024, he suggested that Trump could threaten to damage the Russian economy by lowering the price of oil and gas, using it as a leverage. In an op-ed to The Economist, Waltz said giving military aid to Ukraine indefinitely is a "recipe for failure", but that the US can "provide more weapons to Ukraine with fewer restrictions" if Russian president Vladimir Putin refuses to engage in peace talks. He repeatedly criticized the Biden administration's strategy in Ukraine as unclear and confusing, and expressed support for a negotiated settlement of the conflict.
  
  While initially backing Ukraine following the launch of the Russian invasion in February 2022, he indicated that his views have evolved to a less supportive position in 2024. In 2024, he suggested that Trump could threaten to damage the Russian economy by lowering the price of oil and gas, using it as a leverage. In an op-ed to The Economist, Waltz said giving military aid to Ukraine indefinitely is a "recipe for failure", but that the US can "provide more weapons to Ukraine with fewer restrictions" if Russian president Vladimir Putin refuses to engage in peace talks. He repeatedly criticized the Biden administration's strategy in Ukraine as unclear and confusing, and expressed support for a negotiated settlement of the conflict.