NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Former Amb. Francis Rooney believes that a change in the White House could prompt changes in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"I think if Trump wins with J.D. Vance as his V.P., they have expressed clearly the need to get some kind of solution on the table here for this thing instead of just dishing out money," Rooney said. "I think that the countries of the world, including Russia, are going to fear Trump a whole lot more than they do Biden."
Rooney believes Trump's previous record actually could be an asset here.
"He displayed some pretty decisive leadership in dealing with Israel and moving the embassy," Rooney said. "He roughed up Europe about their contributions to NATO. He's proven that he's willing to delve into these things and try to make a difference, and I know he was pretty cozy with Putin. But I think now it's going to be more of a use that relationship to find a solution."
Will Trump talk tough with Russia? Rooney thinks so.
"He can say, look, Russia, we'll put you in a box," Rooney said. "We will cut you off even more than you're cut off now. We will increase the sanctions. We'll grab all your billionaires and throw them in jail. You know, there's a lot of things that we could be doing, and we keep taking these baby steps."
From 2005 to 2008 Rooney served as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See, appointed by President George W. Bush.
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