A growing number of Republican lawmakers are openly criticizing President Donald Trump’s handling of a proposed Ukraine peace plan, marking one of the sharpest internal GOP splits of his presidency. The backlash marks a rare moment in which Trump’s own party is distancing itself from a key foreign-policy initiative they believe could heavily advantage Russia.
The controversy centers on a 28-point U.S.-drafted framework for ending the war in Ukraine — a proposal first reported last week — that many Ukraine supporters interpret as signaling that the administration may pressure Kyiv into accepting territorial concessions favorable to Moscow.
Republican Lawmakers Warn Plan “Favors Russia”
Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued one of the strongest rebukes, saying Friday that the framework raised “real problems.”
“I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace,” Wicker said, warning that any deal perceived as ceding ground to Russia would undermine U.S. strategic interests and embolden authoritarian regimes.
The concerns mounted after Bloomberg News reported that Trump envoy Steve Witkoff spoke directly with Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign-policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during an October 14 call. According to the report, Witkoff suggested Russia and the U.S. should work jointly on a ceasefire proposal – encouraging Putin to discuss the plan directly with Trump.
“He Cannot Be Trusted”: Lawmakers Demand Witkoff’s Removal
The alleged coordination provoked fierce criticism from House Republicans who are normally supportive of Trump but view Russia with deep suspicion.
Representative Don Bacon, a retired Air Force general, accused Witkoff of favoring Kremlin interests.
“He fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations,” Bacon wrote on X.
“Would a Russian paid agent do less than he? He should be fired.”
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, an ex-FBI agent and long-time voice for Ukraine aid, blasted the “secret back-channel meetings,” calling them “a major problem” that undercuts congressional oversight and U.S. national security.
Even Senator Mitch McConnell — once one of Trump’s staunchest allies — issued a severe statement, saying:
“Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests.”
McConnell’s comments reflect a growing frustration within the GOP establishment, many of whom have long urged robust U.S. support for Ukraine.
Trump’s Circle Fires Back as Rift Deepens
Trump allies quickly pushed back to contain the political fallout.
Vice President JD Vance, who opposes additional U.S. funding for Ukraine, dismissed McConnell’s criticism as a “ridiculous attack” on “an honest effort to end the war.”
Donald Trump Jr. weighed in, too, and accused McConnell of being “bitter” and trying to undermine his father.
But analysts say the intensity of rebukes from sitting Republican lawmakers – particularly those with national-security backgrounds – represents a meaningful shift.
Growing Political Vulnerability for Trump
Scott Anderson, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, said that the GOP dissent is a part of a broader trend.
“He’s much more politically vulnerable than he’s seemed for the last nine or ten months,” Anderson said, citing recent Democratic wins and Trump setbacks in Congress.
Republicans are increasingly conscious of public sentiment heading into the 2026 midterms, where the party will have to defend competitive House and Senate seats. Polls continue to show strong bipartisan support for Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russia’s invasion, putting pressure on GOP lawmakers in swing districts to distance themselves from any policy seen as pro-Kremlin.
Private Doubts Becoming Public Criticism
While only a handful of Republicans have gone on record, Anderson believes their comments reflect far broader unease within the party.
“They are saying publicly what others are saying privately,” he said. “The criticism is vocal and targeted — and likely reflects internal warnings from key parts of the Republican coalition.” As Trump’s team continues to defend the disputed peace plan, the divisions illuminate a rare moment of foreign-policy fracture inside the GOP-one that can shape both the administration’s strategy abroad and the party’s political calculations at home.
