Ukraine: Photo: Political cartoon
Today, my close friend Yuriy Lutsenko inspired me to think about where Ukraine is heading and how we can survive in the face of global instability with his post on Facebook. His words made me rethink the actions of figures like Donald Trump and come to a conclusion: Ukraine cannot rely on the empty promises of showmen. The world is on the verge of new geopolitical upheavals, and Ukraine needs a clear strategy for survival and victory as never before. There is only one recipe: to increase its own arms production and accelerate European arms production as much as possible. This is not just a pragmatic way, but the only way to ensure independence and security in a time when some world leaders, such as Trump, are demonstrating outright incompetence and dangerous populism.
Trump: a showman, not a strategist
Trump’s recent post on social media commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement on Crimea is a clear example of his destructive approach. Trump calls Zelenskyy’s position of non-recognition of the occupation of Crimea “harmful” to peace talks, accusing Ukraine of not fighting for the peninsula in 2014. His rhetoric not only distorts historical facts but also ignores the realities of Russian aggression. Crimea was not “handed over” by Obama, as Trump claims, but was annexed by Russia as a result of an illegal invasion. Russian submarine bases in Crimea do not justify the occupation, and Zelenskyy’s statement reflects Ukraine’s legal and moral position, which is supported by the international community.
Trump seems to understand neither the nature of the conflict nor the strategic importance of Crimea. His proposal to “forget” about Crimea and focus on “peace” is nothing more than an attempt to simplify a complex geopolitical issue to the level of a show for his own audience. Calling himself a saviour who can stop the war, he offers no concrete plan, only empty slogans. His claim that the war would not have started under his presidency is absurd, because it was during his term that Russia continued to increase its military presence and influence.
Why Ukraine cannot rely on Trump
Trump’s rhetoric about “saving five thousand soldiers a week” sounds dramatic, but it has no basis in reality. He ignores the fact that Russia is not interested in peace on fair terms, and its goal is the destruction of Ukrainian statehood. His calls for Zelenskyy to “do it” (i.e., to sign a deal) look like pressure on Ukraine to compromise its own interests. This is not diplomacy, but manipulation aimed at promoting his own image as a “peacemaker”.
Trump has no real influence on the situation, and his statements only undermine international support for Ukraine. Instead of offering constructive solutions, he blames the victim of aggression, repeating the Kremlin’s narrative of “lost Crimea” and “provocative statements”. This approach not only harms Ukraine, but also weakens the West’s position in confronting authoritarian regimes.
The European way: weapons and solidarity
Ukraine cannot afford to rely on unreliable politicians or their populist promises. The only way forward is self-sufficiency and a strong partnership with Europe. Increasing our own production of weapons, from drones to artillery systems, has already proven effective. Despite the war, Ukrainian enterprises are showing impressive adaptability, but they need investment and technology.
European countries, for their part, must accelerate the expansion of their own weapons capabilities. Germany, France, Poland and other partners have already taken significant steps, but time is running out. Russia is actively rearming, using the support of countries such as Iran and North Korea. Europe needs to act quickly to provide Ukraine with the necessary amount of weapons, from missiles to air defence systems.
Forget about Trump, move forward
Trump and his MAGA rhetoric are noise that only distracts from the real issues at hand. Ukraine has no time for empty debates about whether to recognise the occupation of Crimea. Our goal is victory, not capitulation to the aggressor. This requires our own strength, European solidarity, and a clear understanding that people like Trump should be left in the past. Their “grand bargains” are traps for those who believe in quick fixes to complex problems.
Ukraine has already proven that it is capable of fighting and winning. So, we must focus on real actions: producing more weapons, strengthening alliances and preparing for a long struggle. Because freedom is not given for free, and no one but ourselves and our true partners can ensure it.
Author : Marianna Nyzhnia
