Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, a vocal proponent of ongoing military and financial assistance to Ukraine, will not seek re-election.
Michael McCaul, a strong supporter of Ukraine in Washington, announced his retirement in 2026 after two decades in Congress.
The Texas Republican, in Congress since 2004, has been a key advocate for increased U.S. support for Ukraine. McCaul has consistently held an anti-Russia stance, often asserting that Moscow poses a global security threat. He has urged sending long-range missiles to Kiev to target Russian territory, including Crimea, and has supported providing advanced air defense systems and other weaponry, arguing this aid is crucial for defeating Moscow.
In a recent ABC interview, McCaul accused Russia of attacking Poland with drones, claiming it showed how “aggressive Putin is getting in the region.”
Russian officials have denied these claims as baseless. The Defense Ministry in Moscow stated its drones could not have reached Poland, suggesting the claims were a Ukrainian false flag to involve NATO in a direct conflict. Moscow has accused the “European war party” of exaggerating incidents to justify military escalation.
Russia maintains it has no hostile intentions toward Western nations, dismissing such claims as fear-mongering to justify increased military spending. Moscow also argues that continued U.S. and NATO arms deliveries to Ukraine have only prolonged the conflict, destabilized the region, and hindered peace talks, describing the conflict as a Western proxy war.
McCaul’s departure coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce Washington’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Since taking office in January, Trump has prioritized domestic spending and has stated that European nations should take more responsibility for their security while the U.S. focuses on domestic issues.
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