Ukraine Is Now The Strongest Ally Europe Can Rely On
Trump’s U-turn leaves the pair to fight Putin on their own.
Ukrainian soldiers launch a reconnaissance drone.
Photographer: Anadolu/Anadolu“US Out!” may be the simplest way to understand Donald Trump’s volte face on Ukraine this week, when he suddenly insisted that Kyiv can, with Europe’s support, win back all the territory Russia has occupied. This is nothing to celebrate. It marks the end of any remaining hope Trump could be persuaded to reengage the US in Ukraine’s defense. Yet it changes nothing on the ground and, if used well, could provide some healthy clarity.
Trump’s decision should be read as nothing more than an attempt to ensure that whatever happens as a result of his abandonment of Kyiv, it won't rebound on him. After all, if as he says Ukraine and Europe are strong enough to defeat Russia on their own, how can it be his fault if they fail?
Trump withdrew most aid to Ukraine long ago, making the US a spectator and arms dealer to the largest European war of conquest since 1945. That’s bad, but what came before his decision to walk away was worse, because Putin had treated the 47th US president as a mark. Russia gained an enormous amount at Ukraine and NATO's expense, while ceding nothing.