Among those in the top tier of America’s political establishment, rarely has anyone been as criticized for their views on Russia in recent years as Tulsi Gabbard. That criticism, however, did not prevent her ascent to the top of U.S. President Donald Trump’s team, where she is now serving as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), acting as chief intelligence integrator and interpreter for the president.

Gabbard was born on April 12, 1981, in Leloaloa, American Samoa. From 2002 to 2004, she served as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives, according to her Congressional biography. In 2003, while still serving in her state’s House of Representatives, she joined the Hawaii Army National Guard, the beginning of nearly two decades of military service. She served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, and eventually transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 2020. In 2013, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, representing Hawaii for four consecutive terms through to Jan. 3, 2021. 

In January 2019, she announced she was running for president of the United States on the Democratic ticket. She ultimately suspended her presidential campaign in March 2020 and endorsed Joe Biden. In 2024, Gabbard announced that she was joining the Republican Party.¹ In the following year, Trump successfully nominated her to the post of Director of National Intelligence. 

Predictably, her views—particularly her opinions on Russia— attracted close scrutiny in the interval between her presidential bid announcement in 2019 and her confirmation as DNI in 2025. For instance, she was accused of failing to immediately denounce the launch of Russia’s full-blown invasion into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 and of repeating Russia’s arguments for this invasion. Weeks before the invasion, Gabbard claimed “Biden can very easily prevent a war with Russia by guaranteeing that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO.” That same year Gabbard also took heat for claiming that she was "deeply concerned" over claims about biological weapons in Ukraine, endorsing Russian claims that the U.S. and Ukraine were involved in dangerous biological research before the war. She has also repeatedly claimed that Ukraine is not a democracy.

For these and other opinions, she has been described by some of her political rivals and some of the U.S. media as: a “darling of Russia's state media," the "favorite of Russia’s state media," "parroting false Russian propaganda," a "Russia apologist," a "Russian asset," "the favorite of the Russians" and "treasonous.” Unfazed, Gabbard pursued her political career, occasionally firing back with counteroffensives like a defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton in 2020 that alleged the former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee "lied" about the Hawaii congresswoman's ties to Russia during a 2019 interview (she later dropped that suit). She also refused to be pressed into a full reversal of her position on Edward Snowden.

While in the House of Representatives, Gabbard co-sponsored legislation in 2020 that would have dropped charges against Snowden. When questioned at a DNI confirmation hearing about whether Edward Snowden’s leaks made him a traitor, Gabbard responded by stating simply that he “broke the law.”

The compilation of Gabbard’s views below is part of Russia Matters’ “Competing Views” rubric, where we share prominent American figures’ takes on issues pertaining to Russia, U.S.-Russian relations and broader U.S. policies affecting Russia. All sections may be updated with new or past statements. The quotes below are divided into categories similar to those in Russia Matters’ news and analysis digests, reflecting the most pertinent topic areas for U.S.-Russian relations broadly, and for the drivers of the two countries’ policies toward one another. They are arranged in chronological order.

I. U.S. and Russian priorities for the bilateral agenda

Nuclear security and safety:

• In 2009 I walked thru the eerily silent streets of Chernobyl & saw firsthand what’s left of the nuclear disaster. There’s danger of an even more devastating nuclear disaster at Zaporizhzhia. Russia & Ukraine must immediately demilitarize the area & allow IAEA in, for world safety. (Gabbard’s X account, 08.29.22)

North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs:

• North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un is pursuing stronger strategic and conventional capabilities that can target U.S. forces and allies in the region, as well as the U.S. Homeland, to bolster North Korea's leverage and stature, defend the regime, and achieve at least tacit recognition as a nuclear weapons power. Kim's recently cemented strategic partnership with Russia supports these goals by providing him greater financial, military and diplomatic support; reduced reliance on China and the need to defer to Beijing's terms for support; and providing North Korean forces and weapons systems authentic warfighting experience. Kim views his strategic weapons advances since 2019, deepening ties with Russia and North Korea's economic durability as strengthening his negotiating position against Washington's demands for denuclearization and lessening his need for sanctions relief. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)²

Iran and its nuclear program:

• With Iran, Russia has ... expanded financial ties to mitigate sanctions. Iran has become a critical military supplier to Russia, especially of UAVs, in exchange for Russian technical support for Iranian weapons, intelligence and advanced cyber capabilities. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)
• The IC continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003. (DNI.gov, 03.26.25)
• New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do. (Gabbard’s X account, 06.25.25)

Humanitarian impact of the Ukraine conflict:

• President Putin, not only is your brutal attack on Ukraine reprehensible, it has been a huge geopolitical error which has already cost Russia dearly. Those costs will get higher every day you remain in Ukraine. So it is in the best interest of the Russian people and the people of Ukraine, that you pull your forces out now. It is still not too late to salvage the kinship felt between the Russian and Ukrainian people, as expressed in this video clip from a Ukrainian soldier. (Gabbard’s X account, 04.03.22)

Military and security aspects of the Ukraine conflict and their impacts:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

Military aid to Ukraine:

• Biden/Harris tell us we must bear the cost to defend freedom in Ukraine. But while you & your family struggle w/ higher prices, the Power Elite won’t suffer at all. And if the conflict goes nuclear they’ll be safe in bunkers while you, I, & our loved ones are left without shelter (Intercept, 02.25.22)
• Biden Admin is giving blank check to military industrial complex & corrupt bureaucrats in Ukraine, while pushing for 87k new IRS agents to squeeze every penny from Americans. Their actions expose who they really care about. It's not us. (Gabbard's X account, 11.19.22)
• Biden’s decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine shows they don’t care about the Ukrainian people; these munitions will lead to Ukrainian casualties caused by undetonated bomblets for decades to come. This is the same cold, calculating, callousness we saw in Madeleine Albright when she said the price of 500k dead Iraqi kids from U.S. sanctions “was worth it.” (Gabbard's X account, 07.09.23)

Punitive measures related to Russia’s war against Ukraine and their impact globally:

• These sanctions don’t work… What we do know is that they will increase suffering and hardship for the American people. And this is whole problem with the Biden administration: They are so focused on how do we punish Putin that they don’t care and are not focused on what is actually in the best interests of the American people. (The Intercept, 02.25.22)

Ukraine-related negotiations: 

• [In reference to the Russia-Ukraine war:] There is always a path for diplomacy. What is the alternative? The alternative then is continued escalation. (NY Post, 02.27.22)
• Dear Presidents Putin, Zelenskyy, and Biden. It’s time to put geopolitics aside and embrace the spirit of aloha, respect and love, for the Ukrainian people by coming to an agreement that Ukraine will be a neutral country—i.e. no military alliance with NATO or Russia—thus… alleviate the legitimate security concerns of both US/NATO countries and Russia, because there would be no Russian or NATO troops on each other’s borders (non-Baltic). This would allow the Ukrainian people to live in peace. Aloha. (Gabbard's X account, 02.27.22)
• No surprise US/NATO scuttled early Ukraine-Russia negotiations, because it would interfere with their goal of regime change in Russia. But regime change wars are unpredictable & costly, and it’s clear now that if Putin falls, a more hawkish & dangerous leader will rise. (Gabbard's X account, 02.08.23)
• In the early weeks, even months, of the war in Ukraine, diplomacy remained a viable option and a pressing need—to end this conflict quickly before too many lives were lost, and cities destroyed. (For Love of Country, 2024)
• The Biden administration refuses to support negotiations to end that war, because ultimately they don’t care about the people of Ukraine. And they don’t care about the safety, security and freedom of the American people. (For Love of Country, 2024)
• If confirmed as DNI, my priority would be to ensure that the President has the critical information he needs to support his efforts to get Russia and Ukraine to… the negotiating table. (TASS,³ 01.30.25)
• Those of us who have the audacity to call for peace and an end to this war are immediately called Putin apologists or puppets. (For Love of the Country, 2025)
• God forbid Trump have a relationship [with Russia] where conflict could be resolved peacefully. Democrats don’t want a peaceful relationship with Russia at all. (For Love of the Country, 2024)
• Thank you @realDonaldTrump for your unwavering leadership in standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace. What you said is absolutely true: Zelensky has been trying to drag the United States into a nuclear war with Russia/WW3 for years now, and no one has called him on it. Thank you, Vice President @JDVance for speaking out so forcefully and clearly, about the necessity of diplomacy. (Gabbard's X account, 02.28.25)
• [Speaking ahead of an expected phone conversation Tuesday between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Gabbard said Trump] is looking forward to success. Under the previous administration, during which this war began, there was no effort, there was no effort at all towards peace. There was no effort to have direct dialogue with Putin and with Russia to try to bring about an end to this war. So already in a very short period of time, President Trump has made much more progress towards peace than any effort that has occurred by anyone, previously. (AP, 03.17.25)
• [Trump] made it a pillar of his campaign to share his commitment to peace and to bring his leadership toward bringing about an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, to stop the killing, to prevent this risk of World War III and nuclear war… Unfortunately, as we've seen throughout history, simply calling for peace too often invokes attacks and smears… President Trump remains unwavering in his commitment to achieving peace through a strategy rooted in realism and pragmatism. (The Singju Post, 03.18.25)

Great Power rivalry/new Cold War/NATO-Russia relations:

• Biden can very easily prevent a war with Russia by guaranteeing that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO. It is not in our national security interests for Ukraine to become a member of NATO anyway, so why not give Russia that assurance? Is it because the warmongers actually WANT Russia to invade? So that we can levy draconian sanctions on Russia and firmly establish a new Cold War which will reap the Military Industrial Complex endless profit for decades to come? (Gabbard's X account, 02.13.22)
• Russia's foremost concern is the United States and NATO placing a military outpost on its borders within Ukraine. Given it is highly unlikely Ukraine will ever become a member of NATO, let's just look at the world in these realistic views and picture and say what is not going to happen. The U.S. and NATO will not put their outposts, military outposts, on the border of Russia and Ukraine. (Fox News, 02.15.22)
• I do not in any way support Putin’s decision to go into Ukraine… If President Biden and NATO had done what you were just talking about in agreeing we’re going to take NATO off the table for Ukraine… this situation could’ve been prevented. (The Intercept, 02.24.22)
• The reality is that it is highly, highly unlikely that Ukraine will ever become a member of NATO anyway. (The Intercept, 02.25.22)
• Putin has said for years his security concerns are about NATO increasingly approaching and surrounding Russia on all sides. The Biden administration has failed to outline for the American people how does this serve your best interests? What will the costs be? (NY Post, 02.26.22)
• Biden can very easily prevent a war with Russia by guaranteeing that Ukraine will not become a member of NATO. (Global Times⁴ via TASS,⁵ 03.01.22)
• Biden Admin’s “accomplishment” is that America has gone to hell in a handbasket since he took office: Successfully gotten our country into a new cold war and hot proxy war with Russia. Succeeded in driving Russia and North Korea into each other’s arms. (Gabbard's X account, 09.20.23)
• Without any regard for the cost in human lives or taxpayer dollars, Democrat and Republican leaders have stood together, waging one regime-change war after another for decades. Now, they want to see regime change in Russia and China. They don’t care that regime change in Russia would likely destabilize the whole country, impact global food and energy supplies, and most dangerously, leave thousands of nuclear weapons unsecured and vulnerable to being traded and used by who knows who against the United States or our allies. (For Love of Country, 2024)
• This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia's legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine's becoming a member of NATO, which would mean U.S./NATO forces right on Russia's border. (CNN, 03.01.22)
• Putin started the war in Ukraine. (Rev.com, 01.30.25)
• Russia remains a strategic competitor. There are a number of concerns that have to do with their nuclear weapons, as well as how the decisions and policies that are being made by this body and by the president will impact our own national security, which is my foremost concern. (Rev.com, 01.30.25)

China-Russia: Allied or aligned?

• The Biden admin’s policies in Ukraine and towards China at this time are all aimed at forcing China and Russia closer together, because by doing so, it furthers the warmongers’ mission to create a new cold war which will immensely benefit the Military Industrial Complex and those who want to turn our country increasingly into a dictatorship. Of course, this new cold (inevitably hot) war will undermine our prosperity, safety, and freedom. We need to stop them now, or it will be too late. (Gabbard’s X account, 03.20.23)
• “Gabbard… told the Senate intelligence committee on March 25 that the U.S.’s greatest geopolitical foe was not China, Russia or Iran, but for the first time identified the cartels and transnational criminal groups that smuggle illicit fentanyl into the U.S.” (The Times of London, 03.25.25)
• Since 2022, China, Russia, Iran and North Korea have grown closer. Removing the accelerant of the war in Ukraine is unlikely to revert these bilateral relationships to a pre-war, 2021 baseline, leaving room for new strategic priorities and world events to create new incentives or challenges to their currently high levels of cooperation. Russia has been the catalyst for much of this expanded cooperation, driven heavily by the support it has needed for its war effort against Ukraine, including protection from U.S. and Western sanctions. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)
• Turning to our key state-actors, the IC sees China, Russia, Iran and North Korea engaging in activities that could challenge U.S. capabilities and interests, especially related to our security and economy. These actors are, in some cases, working together in different areas to target U.S. interests and protect themselves from U.S. sanctions. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)
• In addition to its exchange of military and other resource capabilities with North Korea, Russia has relied more heavily on China's financial and defense industry backing, and also has increased combined military exercises with China to signal shared fortitude against the United States and U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific region. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)

Missile defense:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

Nuclear arms:

• [In April 2021:] Are we prepared to see our loved ones burn alive in a nuclear holocaust in a war with Russia over Ukraine? (Rolling Stone, 02.24.22)
• [In reference to potential conflict with Russia over Ukraine:] President Biden is not addressing the number one question that really he should address, which is the American people wondering, what is this going to cost us here at home, and why are we doing this? Why is the president making the choices that he's making?... The danger of this, ultimately, is these kinds of tactics that are tactics of warfare could ultimately escalate to the point where it's the United States vs. Russia, two nuclear-armed countries, where, either intentionally or unintentionally, we could end up having to face that reality of nuclear warfare and attacks. (Fox News, 02.15.22)
• We're already in a hot war with Russia, and it's going to get a lot hotter because the Biden Admin's stated goal is the complete destruction of Russia's economy & military. Russia has made it clear that if faced with this prospect they’ll have no choice but to use tactical nukes. Once the nuclear Pandora’s Box is open, it'll be impossible to close. The path the Biden Admin has us on will lead to WWIII & nuclear Armageddon. Our country, families & world will suffer beyond comprehension. (Gabbard's X account, 05.06.22)
• Biden/NATO actions & words make it clear their goal is to cripple Russia economy/military. Russia’s made it clear that if the West gets close to achieving that, they’ll resort to nukes. Biden/NATO have put us on path to nuclear Armageddon. We need to wake up before it’s too late. (Gabbard’s X account, 05.11.23)
• Anyone who opposes the Democrat elite’s woke agenda and ideology is demonized by being labeled a “MAGA Republican”… [I]t includes people who dare to question or oppose the warmongers in Washington who are pushing us into Cold Wars with Russia and China, and closer to the brink of nuclear catastrophe. (For Love of Country, 2024)
• We face the harsh reality, with escalating cold wars being waged with Russia and China, two nuclear-armed nations, that just a spark could kick off a nuclear war, intentionally or unintentionally because of a miscalculation. Our leaders know this fact. The Doomsday Clock that’s adjusted every year by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is currently set to ninety seconds before midnight—the closest to global catastrophe it has ever been. (For Love of Country, 2024)
• The Japanese did not have nuclear weapons with which to respond and were forced to surrender. Russia, however, has approximately 5,977 nuclear weapons—more than any other country in the world, including the United States—that are many times more powerful than the atomic bombs used against Japan in World War II. They include strategic nuclear weapons capable of turning an entire country into ashes, and tactical nuclear weapons that are smaller, mobile, and still carry the same amount of power as the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (For Love of Country, 2024)
• President Vladimir Putin, who had ordered the invasion of Ukraine, stressed repeatedly that he would defend his country “by any means necessary.” This was an obvious reference to the 5,977 nuclear warheads at his disposal, and his willingness to use them. How did we get to this point? (For Love of Country, 2024)
• Turning to Russia: Russia's nuclear and conventional military capabilities, along with its demonstrated economic and military resilience, make it a formidable competitor. Moscow has more nuclear weapons than any other nation, that could inflict catastrophic damage on the United States and the world in the event of a major war that Russian leaders feared put them and their regime at serious risk. In late 2024, Russia announced updates to its public nuclear doctrine, expanding the conditions under which Russia would consider using nuclear weapons. Russia is building a more modern and survivable nuclear force designed to circumvent U.S. missile defense through reliable retaliatory strike potential. Russia intends to deter the U.S. by both holding the U.S. homeland at risk and by having the capabilities to threaten nuclear war in a conflict. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)
• This isn't some made-up science fiction story. This is the reality of what's at stake, what we are facing now, because as we stand here today, closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before, political elite and warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers. (Gabbard’s X account, 06.10.25)

Counterterrorism:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

Conflict in Syria:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

Cyber security/AI: 

• Russia has developed advanced cyber capabilities and has attempted to pre-position access on U.S. critical infrastructure for asymmetric options and make it a persistent cyber threat. Russia's cyber activities have been linked to multiple high-profile breaches, including the 2023 hack of Microsoft. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)

Energy exports from CIS:

• Europe is in a massive energy crisis right now… Why is all this happening?... Because of Joe Biden’s sanctions, which are nothing short of a modern-day siege. This is a supply problem that Joe Biden created, one that Russia is now profiting from. (Iran’s FARS, 08.14.22)
• Biden’s sanctions are failing. Russia’s energy revenue is higher now than before they invaded Ukraine. This is a supply issue. Biden created it, Russia is profiting from it. The result? The people of Europe are facing an energy crisis, and we are next. (Gabbard's X account, 08.16.22)

Climate change:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications. 

Election interference:

• Reckless claims by anonymous intelligence officials that Russia is “helping” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are deeply irresponsible I am calling on all presidential candidates to stop playing these dangerous political games and immediately condemn any interference in our elections by out-of-control intelligence agencies. The American people have the right to know this information in order to put Russia’s alleged “interference” into proper perspective. It is a mystery why the Intelligence Community would want to hide these details from us. Instead it is relying on highly dubious and vague insinuations filtered through its preferred media outlets, which seem designed to create a panic rather than actually inform the public about a genuine threat. If the CIA, FBI or any other intelligence agency is going to tell voters that “Russians” are interfering in this election to help certain candidates—or simply “sow discord”—then it needs to immediately provide us with the details of what exactly it’s alleging. (The Hill, 02.27.20)

U.S.-Russian economic ties:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

U.S.-Russian relations in general:

• Here we go again… another regime change war. The target? Nuclear-armed Russia. Biden: “For God's sake, this man [Putin] cannot remain in power.” Regime change is the true intent of Biden Admin’s policies, which will have catastrophic consequences for Americans and world. (Gabbard's X account, 03.27.22)
• It’s not about the people of Ukraine or ‘protecting democracy’… This is about regime change in Russia and exploiting this war to strengthen NATO and feed the military-industrial complex. (Iran’s FARS, 08.14.22)
• The collapse of the Soviet Union created an obvious opportunity to cultivate better relations with our former enemies, particularly Russia, with its immense nuclear arsenal. William J. Perry, secretary of defense under President Bill Clinton, recognized this and worked with Russian Minister of Defense Pavel Grachev to reduce “much of the massive nuclear stockpile left over from the Cold War.” (For Love of Country, 2024)
• Given the seriousness of this nuclear threat, common sense would dictate a foreign policy that pursues peaceful coexistence with Russia. But permanent Washington’s belligerent foreign policy needlessly pokes the Russian bear, escalating international tensions and, as a result, undermining the safety and security not only of the American people, but of the world. (For Love of Country, 2024)
• [When asked by Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas whether Russia would ‘get a pass’ in her assessments or policy recommendations as DNI:] I’m offended by the question. (FT, 01.30.25)
• I don't pay attention to Russian propaganda. (Rev.com, 01.30.25)

II. Russia’s domestic policies 

Domestic politics, economy and energy:

• Russia faces two likely scenarios: 1) Takeover by a “strongman” more nationalistic, dictatorial & dangerous than Putin. 2) Civil war with many factions fighting for power with nukes up for grabs. Either way, the American people & world are in much greater danger of nuclear war all thanks to the neocons/neolibs. (Gabbard’s X account, 01.27.23)

Defense and aerospace:

• Russia is also fielding new capabilities and antisatellite weapons meant to degrade U.S. and allied space infrastructure. Among Russia's most concerning developments is a new satellite intended to carry a nuclear weapon as an antisatellite weapon, violating longstanding international law against such activity and putting the U.S. and global economy at risk. (DNI.gov, 03.25.25)
• See section Military aspects of the Ukraine conflict and their impacts above.

Security, law-enforcement and justice:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

III. Russia’s relations with other countries

Russia’s external policies, including relations with “far abroad” countries:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

Ukraine:

• Warmongers argue that we must protect Ukraine because it is a “democracy.” But they’re lying. Ukraine isn't actually a democracy. To hold onto power, Ukraine's president shut down the 3 TV stations that criticized him, and imprisoned… the head of the opposition political party which came in 2nd place in the election, and arrested and jailed its leaders (exactly what Putin has been accused of doing)—all with the support of U.S. (Gabbard's X account, 02.19.22)
• There are 25+ U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine which if breached would release & spread deadly pathogens to U.S./world. We must take action now to prevent disaster. U.S./Russia/Ukraine/NATO/U.N./EU must implement a ceasefire now around these labs until they’re secured & pathogens destroyed. (Gabbard's X account, 03.13.22)
• Biden/Harris and the bipartisan Washington elite continue to impoverish Americans & ppl around the world & risk nuclear war to “protect democracy, defeat autocracy” in Ukraine. But Ukraine’s president continues to prove democracy is dead in Ukraine by silencing dissenters taking control of the national media & implementing a “unified information policy,” locked up political opponents, & now is blacklisting & smearing Americans who dare to speak the truth. (Gabbard's X account, 07.27.22)
• Zelenskyy now has absolute control of Ukrainian media, outlawed opposition political parties and Ukraine’s Orthodox Church, declared martial law and uses absolute power under martial law to cancel presidential elections. (Gabbard's X account, 11.09.23)

Russia's other post-Soviet neighbors:

• No significant commentary or analysis in monitored publications.

Footnotes:

1. Gabbard’s book, “For Love of Country: Why I Left the Democratic Party,” was published in April 2024.
2. For Russia-related insights from “Worldwide Threat Assessment-2025,” which director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA director John Ratcliffe presented to the Senate’s intelligence committee, see this RM blog post.
3. This outlet is funded and controlled by the Russian government.
4. This outlet is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party’s The People’s Daily.
5. This outlet is funded and controlled by the Russian government.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the individual quoted. Photo by AP Photo/John McDonnell.