Trump’s Ukraine Policy: A Surrender to Russian Demands
The Trump administration’s proposals to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine amount to an unconditional surrender by the United States to Russian demands. What the US Secretary of Defense, the Ukraine envoy, and Donald Trump himself have been trumpeting in recent days have already met many of Putin’s demands. For Ukraine, the nightmares are coming true with the new administration in Washington, D.C.
Changes in power have decided many wars throughout history. With the replacement of Neville Chamberlain by Winston Churchill in May 1940, Britain began to decisively defeat Hitler. Prussia prevailed in the Seven Years’ War when Tsarina Elizabeth died in Russia and Peter III took over the government. Now, Ukraine seems to be on the verge of losing its three-year war of survival against Russia in a matter of weeks because Donald Trump has taken power in Washington.
Trump’s Ukraine policy is a betrayal of the Ukrainian people and a violation of international law. The United States has a moral and legal obligation to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. By abandoning Ukraine, the Trump administration is sending a dangerous message to the world that aggression will be rewarded.
Trump’s policy is also a threat to US national security. A Russian victory in Ukraine would give Russia a strategic foothold in Eastern Europe and would embolden Putin to further aggression against other countries. It would also undermine the US-led international order that has been in place since the end of the Cold War.
The Trump administration’s proposals for ending the conflict in Ukraine are as follows:
- Ceasefire: A ceasefire would be implemented immediately, without any conditions. This would give Russia a chance to consolidate its gains and regroup for further attacks.
- Withdrawal of Ukrainian forces: Ukrainian forces would withdraw from all territory that Russia has occupied since 2014. This would include the Crimean Peninsula and parts of eastern Ukraine.
- Autonomy for eastern Ukraine: Eastern Ukraine would be granted autonomy within Ukraine. This would give Russia a veto over Ukraine’s foreign policy and economic decisions.
- Removal of sanctions: The US and EU would remove all sanctions against Russia. This would reward Russia for its aggression and give it access to Western capital and technology.
These proposals are unacceptable. They would reward Russia for its aggression and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They would also threaten US national security and the US-led international order.
To restore its credibility and commitment to democracy and human rights, the United States must reject Trump’s Ukraine policy. The United States must continue to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression and must hold Russia accountable for its crimes.
The world cannot afford to let Russia win in Ukraine. A Russian victory would be a victory for tyranny and aggression. It would embolden Putin to further aggression against other countries and would undermine the US-led international order that has been in place since the end of the Cold War.
The United States must stand with Ukraine and against Russian aggression. The future of democracy and human rights in the world depends on it.
