From the beginning of his presidency—perhaps even during his candidacy—it was clear that Donald J. Trump viewed negotiations involving Ukraine through the lens of Russian interests and propaganda. Once again, “Russia, Russia, Russia”—not as a baseless accusation, but as an undeniable reality. Just as all roads once led to Rome, all great disinformation campaigns originate from Moscow.

What happened on February 28, 2025, in the Oval Office between Donald J. Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky was nothing short of an absolute disgrace. It exposed the total incompetence and weakness of Trump and his administration. The third-grade ambush they orchestrated to bully Zelensky was childish and transparent—a reflection of leaders who mistake intimidation for strength. They believe that bullying the vulnerable is power, when in reality, true strength lies in lifting up the weak. Helping an ally in distress is a mark of courage and compassion—qualities Donald Trump has never demonstrated.

Trump’s Obsession with Power and Betrayal of an Ally

Trump has never forgotten or forgiven Zelensky for refusing to play along in his first administration’s “perfect call” scheme—the same call in which Trump attempted to coerce Ukraine into incriminating the Bidens over imaginary crimes. Now, in 2025, Trump sees his chance at revenge, using Ukraine’s desperate need for U.S. support as a political bargaining chip.

Yet, in the face of Trump’s bullying and manipulation, Zelensky stood firm. He knew full well that refusing Trump’s demands could cost Ukraine vital funding in a war they cannot afford to lose. And yet, his honor, integrity, and duty to his people would not allow him to bow to a corrupt, self-serving bully. That display of courage and dignity is more impressive than anything Trump has ever done in the face of adversity.

From the very start of negotiations, Trump laid out absurd, Kremlin-approved demands:

• Ukraine must relinquish land to Russia.
• Ukraine must sign over mineral rights to the U.S.
• Russia was not the aggressor—Zelensky was the dictator.

This is not a position of power; this is a position of submission to Russian propaganda. A true position of powerwould have been to tell Russia:

• If you’re upset about Ukraine joining NATO, then we’ll sign up the Baltic states as well.
• If you want Ukraine out of NATO, then we’ll bring them in immediately.
• We will honor the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, in which Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., UK, and EU.
• Because Russia broke that treaty, we will reinforce Ukraine with military infrastructure to uphold our commitments.

Instead of standing strong against a weakened Russia, Trump sided with the aggressor, offering Ukraine up as a bargaining chip to a dictator struggling to maintain power at home.

Russia’s Desperation Should Have Been America’s Advantage

The truth is, Russia is crumbling. Putin’s grip on power is weakening. There was an attempted military coup against him. Russia is sending 50-year-old wounded soldiers back to the front lines. Their economy is on the verge of collapse. They desperately need peace just as much as Ukraine does.

Sure, Russia has millions more men they can draft, but they have no passion for the fight. Even the North Korean fighters being sent in to support Russia lack conviction—they die easily because they don’t believe in what they’re fighting for.

That should have been America’s advantage.
Instead of bullying an ally in need, Trump should have focused on breaking Russia from within:

• Amping up CIA disinformation campaigns inside Russia.
• Disrupting Russian social media to turn the Russian public against their government, just as Putin has done to us.
• Using economic leverage to accelerate Russia’s decline rather than giving them a lifeline.

That would be a position of strength. Not bullying an ally in crisis.

America’s Betrayal and Political Cowardice

We cannot undo the damage Trump has caused—but we can stand with Ukraine now.

Yet, where were the Democrats in this moment of crisis?
Where was one single major Democratic leader willing to stand beside Zelensky and say:

• “The current administration does not support you, but America still does.”
• “We are still here, and if we take back the government, we will keep our word.”

Zelensky needed reassurance, solidarity, and leadership—and he got none.

Instead, we heard pundits and talk-show hosts say Zelensky should have just handed over Ukraine’s mineral rights to Trump—maybe even build the largest Trump Tower ever, next to the newly renamed Trump River in the Province of Donald.

That’s not how global leadership works.
That’s not how diplomacy works.
That’s not how America is supposed to operate.

What America Used to Stand For

There was a time when America stood for righteousness. When we supported our allies without hesitation. When we defended democracy without asking about the price tag.

• Freedom was the reward.
• Victory was the currency.

Yet, when Ukraine needed us most, Trump and the MAGA movement turned their backs.

So the question is: Who do you want to be?

• Do you want to be the person who has the power to help but asks, “What’s in it for me?”
• Or do you want to be the person who helps because it’s the right thing to do?

This is the choice America faces.

• Do we become a petty, vindictive nation, gleeful at bullying our allies?
• Or do we show compassion, stand up to tyranny, and honor our agreements?

The World Is Watching—And It’s Not Just About Trump

This moment is sending shockwaves through the international community.

Look at the UK today—they stood by Ukraine unequivocally. Their citizens were in the streets cheering for Zelensky, showing compassion and a desire to help—not to extort.

• The UK did not demand mineral rights in exchange for support.
• The UK did not exploit an ally’s crisis for political gain.
• The UK did not shame America for bailing on its obligations—but they didn’t have to. The silence was deafening.

The ripple effect of this betrayal will last generations. When America can no longer be trusted, when we are too divided to be feared, authoritarian leaders like Putin and Xi will exploit that weakness.

Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize—or rather, his ego does.

I’ll be the first in line to hand him that award if he can:

• Convince Russia to back down out of fear of him.
• Get Zelensky to sign over Ukraine’s mineral rights for unwavering protection.
• Get NATO and the EU to step up their spending and bring peace to the region.

If he does that, he deserves it.
But that’s not what he’s done.

Instead, Trump has caused global confusion and chaos. He’s walked away from an ally, emboldened an enemy, and put America’s credibility in question.

America’s Future Is at Stake

We once stood for freedom, democracy, and justice.
Now, we stand for petty deals, extortion, and broken promises.

Even Canada, one of our closest allies, is questioning America’s direction.
Even our closest partners wonder if we can be trusted anymore.

And while Trump looks to make America petty, China, Russia, and other autocrats look to exploit our division.

This isn’t just about Ukraine.
This isn’t just about Trump.

This is about who we are as a nation—and who we choose to be moving forward.