Do you remember that poem by our great poetess Lesya Ukrainka, which in translation means “Without hope, I still hope!”? How timely it sounds now and how closely it reflects the current sentiments of Ukrainians. I will quote its final lines. It seems as if not Lesia herself, but all of Ukraine — now engulfed in war — is speaking:
“Yes, I'll smile, indeed, through tears and weeping
Sing my songs where evil holds its sway
Hopeless, a steadfast hope forever keeping
I shall live! You thoughts of grief, away!”
We had high hopes that the world — wise enough to discern where truth lies and where falsehood — would support us, help us overcome the aggressor, and justly punish him for the crimes committed. And we believed our greatest ally would be the United States, as a true bastion of freedom, justice, and democracy. However, these hopes disappeared (or almost disappeared) when Donald Trump became President of the United States. After his latest statements and actions, it became clear that there would be no support and that America is “handing over” Ukraine to “Putler.” America stumbled here — or rather, the American people, who mostly do support us but, for the sake of resolving internal issues, chose precisely this president.
Trump does not like Zelensky and is doing everything possible to remove him, much like putin. This hostility dates back to Trump’s first presidential term, when he asked Zelensky to provide compromising information on Biden’s son, Hunter, so that he could use it in his election campaign. Zelensky did not comply, and Trump remembered it. He waited for his time to take revenge, and he got it. He grew even angrier when Zelensky refused to sign a ruinous agreement concerning the use of Ukraine’s mineral resources. They say that in its initial form, that agreement was completely worthless.
Even before becoming president again, but already holding a Republican majority in the legislature and with the Trump supporter Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Trump secured an almost six-month delay in aid to Ukraine. This led to a weapons shortage for the Armed Forces of Ukraine: the front wavered, and after that, the “Moskals” (a pejorative term for Russians) began actively advancing and capturing Ukrainian territories. This is the consequence of that policy. Trump’s claim that he loves Ukraine and Ukrainians now rings utterly false. One does not act this way toward those one supposedly loves.
Trump likes putin. One might wonder why. Possibly “Putler” has some compromising material on him from his visits to Russia in his younger days, and Trump fears this. Or maybe the “orcs” (a derogatory term for Russian forces) have simply bought him off — they are certainly capable of it. How else to explain the courtesies he extends to putin, his attempts to whitewash him in the eyes of Americans, and his silence regarding putin’s responsibility for starting the war and the horrific crimes Russian forces have committed in Ukraine? Or maybe they simply share the same values and preferences. Let us not speculate — time will tell.
One crucial trait that sets Trump apart from previous presidents is that he is a businessman, a dealmaker, acting on the principle: “I give you this — you give me that,” or “I’ll give you something, but what do I get in return?” He does not give anything away for free; everything has its price. That is why his demand that Ukraine pay for the aid provided (incidentally, not even by him but by President Biden) with future rare-earth mineral extraction sounded so insistent. Blood is being shed in Ukraine, people are on the brink of survival, and Trump thinks only of money and profit. After a month of Trump’s rule, it became clear to everyone: Ukraine is being sold out.
Obsessed with fulfilling his campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine as quickly as possible, Trump is simultaneously dismantling the anti-putin coalition. His condescension toward Europe — America’s longstanding friend and ally — is astonishing. Europe is shocked by his bias and populism. Sheltered under America’s security umbrella, Europe has realized that this umbrella is starting to fail and may not open if urgently needed. The speech by U.S. Vice President Vance at the Munich Conference was like a cold shower to Europeans. Europe is waking from a pleasant lethargy, realizing it must rely on its own strengths. But is it too late? Leading European nations promise not to abandon Ukraine to face the aggressor and criminal — russia — on its own. But do they have the strength, the means, and the will to replace America, given their own dependence on the United States?
So here is the calamity. There is no point in deceiving ourselves. The very existence of an independent Ukraine is at risk. A small example: there is now a shortage of missiles for the “Patriot” systems, capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, and only the Americans can supply them. Right now, Trump has forbidden shipping weapons to Ukraine, even those already paid for. Will the russians now turn all our towns and villages into ruins and ashes?
Judging from the White House’s statements and actions, it does not intend to change its course or policy — unless the American people themselves intervene. But is that even possible? And if so, how and when?
Judging from the White House’s statements and actions, it does not intend to change its course or policy — unless the American people themselves intervene. But is that even possible? And if so, how and when?
Author: Myroslav Grekh