President Trump does not care about Ukraine; President Trump does not care about any of America’s allies.
The President was clearly raised to believe life is only about winners and losers; his father taught him that if you aren’t a winner, you are a loser. This philosophy is apparent in Trump’s “zero-sum” approach to foreign policy, believing that a country can only benefit at the expense of another. Everything to President Trump is transactional.
The President sees the Russia-Ukraine war as a chance for him to win negotiations; if he can’t win, then he doesn’t care about peace. The mineral deal he originally proposed would have had Ukraine give away $500 billion in mineral wealth – when America has, so far, only provided $200 billion in aid.
The most recent deal has Ukraine contributing 50 per cent of future proceeds from state-owned mineral, oil and gas resources to a joint fund to develop Ukraine. America will want as much control of the fund as possible, likely dominating proceedings as without it, Trump will likely pull out. Despite the supposed intention of the fund, there is no assurance of American aid in the future. If the fund is not used to benefit Ukraine in the war, it is likely going to be used to get American taxpayer money back. These deals demonstrate the Trump administration’s true intentions, a transaction where America benefits regardless of the outcome for Ukraine.
This attitude was further shown on Friday where the POTUS and Zelensky had a bizarre argument in front of the US media. In the exchange, the President and Vice President treat president Zelensky like a child, with Vance repeatedly asking if he had said thank you.
This hostility shows a clear shift in US treatment of Ukraine from a relationship of charity to one of transaction. On his truth social account, Trump said that Ukraine believes US involvement gives Zelensky a significant advantage, further demonstrating that the POTUS doesn’t see the meetings with President Zelensky as negotiations but as sparring matches. Ukraine will get nowhere with President Trump unless they flatter his ego and make him feel like a winner, until then Ukraine is on its own.
This treatment of Ukraine is a lesson to all of America’s allies. A lesson that negotiating with America is no longer viable unless they are willing to inflict substantial self-harm. For example, the Trump administration is now proposing 25 per cent tariffs on the EU and further potential tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
The time to confide in America is dead; America is no longer an ally, instead choosing to be a bully that cuddles up to other dictators. To still lean on America in foreign policy would show weakness and an acceptance of President Trump’s brash, confrontational side of politics. In such a turbulent time, we should not turn to isolationism and, instead, opt for cooperation. A divided West will watch as the weak fall, allowing the strong to dictate our future.
“Volodymyr Zelensky & Donald Trump 02” by Thiện Ân is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.