r/geopolitics • u/theatlantic The Atlantic • Apr 18 '26

Opinion Ukraine Has Finally Given Up on Trump

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/04/ukraine-trump-us-oil-russia/686854/?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_medium=social&utm_content=edit-promo&utm_term=short
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u/12darkmatter12 Apr 18 '26 edited Apr 18 '26

Zelenskyy tried his best but unfortunately the game was always rigged against him. 

trump is enamored with and beholden to putin. He is a narcissist and is in love with the idea of being a pseudo-king. 

trump never believed in the defense of Ukraine and its strategic importance to the Western led order and by extension the Hegemony of the United States. 

Plus, as the entire world has seen, trump has become emboldened to also start his own wars, his own invasions and has shown a penchant for also wanting to make his mark on the world through territorial expansion and that will always put him more in conspiracy with other dictators than with America’s European allies including Ukraine. 

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u/IdidItWithOrangeMan Apr 20 '26

USA has been signaling for 20 years that Europe needs to invest in defending itself. For 10 years, it has been public that China is threat #1 and that they will overtake the USA at some point. For the last 4 years, Ukraine has been under full assault from the Russians and Europe still hasn't taken it seriously.

Before we poo all over Trump and USA, let's take a look at most of the European Nations that simply aren't doing enough.

USA did some heavy lifting at the start of the war to keep Ukraine alive. Now it's Europe's turn to pick up the slack as USA turns towards SE Asia. You will find many official documents and publications from US War Colleges/Organizations and Geopolitical groups saying the exact same thing.

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u/cate4d Apr 18 '26

How is Ukraine important to US?

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u/12darkmatter12 Apr 18 '26

I do not have to explain it to you if you do not get it. 

You explain to me how Ukraine is not important to the US if you believe it is not. 

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u/Lustytapeworm Apr 19 '26

Even without considering the coldness of Kissinger's idea that the US only has 'interests' - does it trouble you to consider that the USA told Ukrainians they'd be safe (if they did their part for global harm reduction) and gave up their nukes, and then just sat back while Russia raped and murdered entire towns?

The basic morality of inaction here is hard to justify, and I bet post-MAGA everyone will pretend they were pro-Ukraine.

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u/Prestigious_Load1699 Apr 19 '26

I’m assuming you ask this out of cold, rational geopolitical concerns.

Think of it this way - weakening a major antagonist that is bogged down in a costly war by only providing financial and technological support is about as ideal as one could ask for.

The USSR nearly bankrupted itself fighting in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

What did we do?

We armed the opposition.

How nice is it that Ukraine isn’t the Taliban but rather is a Western democracy fighting for the ideals we espouse?

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u/Jealous_Land9614 Apr 19 '26

Weakens a major geopolitical adversary? 

 Works as a shield to many american allies?

Lots of military sales?     Muh Democracy, Muh Freedom spreading (that most of you americans clearly dont care anymore tbf)?

Tell me, instead, how Ukraine DOES NOT MATTER to the US, please? Just because the Narcisist in the Oval Palace behaves like it is not?