24 February 2025, 19:15

By Lubov Chernukhin

Ukraine’s sovereignty can be protected and Russian aggression stopped.

President Trump’s outlandish statements about Ukraine have sent shockwaves around the world.

From labelling President Zelenskyy a “dictator” to warning he “is not going to have a country left” – Trump’s commentary has sparked consternation and grave concern among world leaders across the globe.

Many fear that Trump is gearing up to betray Ukraine for Vladimir Putin. But if we strip back the fiery rhetoric, and consider the underlying facts, a different and unexpected picture emerges: Ukraine is not Trump’s to give away.

Trump’s negotiating tactics have been unspeakably hurtful to Ukrainians who have sacrificed so much to defend their freedom. His claims that the Ukrainians are responsible for starting the war, or that President Zelenskyy wants to “keep the gravy train” of foreign aid running are grossly inflammatory. But so far, at least as reality is concerned, Trump’s bark is worse than his bite.

At the time of writing this, he has not stopped the supply of arms to Ukraine nor disconnected Starlink – despite relentless public attacks on President Zelenskyy.

While Trump’s push to strike a deal with Russia has rattled Europeans, and stoked fears their security will be irreparably weakened, there may be a method to his madness.

By echoing Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric and making egregious claims against Ukraine, Trump has brought Putin to the negotiating table. This may be due to competent psychologists advising Trump’s team, or his intuitive approach to a megalomaniac psychopath as an interlocutor, but the fact remains.

Putin has taken the bait – and by drawing on sympathetic language, Trump has tempted Putin into the talks.........

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