William B. Taylor Jr.

William B. Taylor Jr. is an American diplomat who was United States ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 to 2009 and returned as charge d'affaires in 2019. He has worked on security and international affairs.

What DI has documented

DI has documented statements by William B. Taylor Jr. on International Relations, Russia, and Trade Policy, among other topics. Read the quotations, original sources and related cases below.

Topics in this coverage

Statements by William B. Taylor Jr.

William B. Taylor Jr.

Role at the time: Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine

Condemned

Statement summary

Taylor calls Trump's waiver of the Graham Act sanctions inexplicable, lists it with the earlier diesel waiver as actions in support of Russia, and says Trump should put pressure on Putin to end the war.

“Well, Brian, it's inexplicable that the United States would take these actions, that the President would take these actions in support of Russia.”
Open the original interview (opens in a new tab)William Taylor discusses Russia sanctions on CNNOpening interview, approximately 00:04-00:09 ET
Why we used this label

The reference point is Trump's waiver of the Graham Act's Russia sanctions. Taylor calls the waiver an inexplicable action in support of Russia and says ending the war requires pressure on Putin.

A participant is a subject of the case. A speaker has a statement documented in it. A commentator has an opinion or editorial documented in it.

Case

Trump waives the Graham Act's Russia sanctions

Relationship to this case: Speaker

The White House says waiving the Graham Act's Russia measures preserves room for peace negotiations. Lawmakers from both parties and Volodymyr Zelenskyy say relief weakens pressure on Russia. Thomas Massie welcomes Trump's use of the authority Congress granted.

RussiaInternational RelationsUpdated