In recent weeks, the Trump administration has taken a series of alarming steps that have sent shockwaves through Ukraine and its allies. The situation is becoming increasingly clear: Trump is not only putting pressure on Ukraine — he seems willing to let ordinary people suffer in order to force a surrender on Putin’s terms.
The most shocking move was Trump’s decision to stop sharing intelligence data with Ukraine — the very data that helps defend against Russian drones and missiles. This effectively leaves Ukrainians more vulnerable to deadly attacks, sending a grim message: capitulate, or face mass casualties.
But this is just one piece of a broader pattern. Trump has announced a potential rollback of sanctions against Russia, halted the U.S.’s cyber warfare against them, and even negotiated the reopening of American businesses and diplomatic missions in Russia. Aid to Ukraine — both military and humanitarian — has been frozen, including vital energy support. Weapons shipments approved under the Biden administration have been stopped halfway, with Trump preferring to pay millions to maintain ports, airports, and warehouses in third countries rather than allow these weapons to reach the front lines. The message is clear: the goal is not just to weaken Ukraine — it is to break its resistance.
Now, Ukraine faces the pressure of two major powers seemingly aligning to undermine its fight for freedom. Trump’s rhetoric has grown harsher, branding Zelensky a “dictator” with a 4% approval rating, and accusing him of provoking the war himself. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Trump has begun sending envoys to Ukrainian opposition figures like Poroshenko and Tymoshenko, clearly hoping to install a leader willing to negotiate with Putin on his terms.
Yet, Trump’s biggest miscalculation is his failure to understand the spirit of the Ukrainian people. While other nations might cautiously voice support from the sidelines, Ukrainians are fighting and dying for their freedom every day. Betrayal — whether from their own leaders or foreign powers — is not easily forgiven. Any Ukrainian politician aligning with Trump right now risks permanent political ruin.
It is now evident to many, even among previously indifferent European leaders, that Trump is actively undermining Ukraine’s struggle. While Trump and Putin seem determined to remove Zelensky from power, the Ukrainian president has made a bold counteroffer: he is willing to step down — but only if Ukraine is granted immediate NATO membership.
This is not just about leadership; it’s about security guarantees for an entire nation. The choice is clear — either Ukraine secures its place in NATO, or the world watches as two authoritarian leaders attempt to crush a country fighting for its survival.
