Trump Supporter Fighting for Ukraine Reflects on the War and Peace Talks
A Republican and Trump supporter who fought in the trenches of Ukraine for 728 days in an interview with UATV English, shared raw reflections on battlefield ethics, Russian disinformation, and the human cost of war.
Speaking about the treatment of Russian prisoners of war, the speaker emphasized that honoring humanity is his principle not just in theory, but in action.
“Once the Russians stop fighting and they say, ‘I surrender,’ it’s our duty to do everything we can to keep them alive,” Matthew Sampson said.
"Every Russian soldier that we take prisoner and keep alive, that's a Ukrainian that gets to come home during a future prisoner exchange," he added.
Drawing on his military experience in Afghanistan, he reflected on battlefield codes that transcend geography:
“Every human life deserves respect, even if they’re doing things that we disagree with… The moment that the enemy fighter stops fighting, it’s our duty to do everything we can to keep them alive.”
In a particularly compelling moment, the speaker highlighted a grim contrast:
“We know for a fact that when it’s our side (Ukraine’s) that’s having a bad day… there’s a high probability that we may not be taken prisoner at all. We might be executed”
He added: “The prisoners coming off the Russian bus are starving to death. Generally, the prisoners coming off the Ukrainian bus have gained weight.”
On the propaganda war, he was blunt in his criticism of the Kremlin:
“The Kremlin is horrible at a lot of things… but the Kremlin is annoyingly good at their propaganda and disinformation. They’ve been targeting the United States for decades.”
Addressing the war’s moral stakes, he made it clear that for Ukrainians, there is no middle ground:
“You cannot negotiate with me how it is more legal to kill me, take my land, rape my women, abduct my children. There is no point of negotiation.”
Nevertheless, he emphasized that despite facing harsh criticism for his views, he remains steadfast in his belief that "dialogue is the key" and encourages respectful discussions, even with those who strongly disagree.
Watch the full interview on UATV English: Republican And Trump Voter: Marine Scout Sniper Fights 728 Days In Ukraine