February 13, 2025
Donald Trump proposes viewing aid to Ukraine as an investment rather than a long-term U.S. commitment. While this approach may seem pragmatic, it ignores a crucial reality: Ukraine’s security is directly linked to the security of the West. A policy of “you give us this, we give you that” undermines trust between allies and plays directly into Russia’s hands.
Ukraine’s Security = U.S. and NATO Security. Trump’s assertion that Ukraine “may become Russian” or that “Ukrainians have no choice” is not just a rejection of international law but an outright endorsement of aggression. Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom but also for the principles that uphold global stability. Allowing Russia to win would set a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes, including China, which is closely watching the situation.
U.S. Aid to Ukraine is an Investment in Global Order, Not a Financial Loss. Trump treats aid to Ukraine as a financial loss, but in reality, it is a strategic investment in maintaining American influence. Support for Ukraine weakens Russia’s war machine, strengthens Western unity, and prevents future conflicts that could cost the U.S. far more. The alternative is chaos: if Ukraine falls, NATO will be under direct threat, and the U.S. may be forced to intervene militarily in Europe at an even greater cost.
Europe is Contributing More Than Trump Claims. Despite Trump’s claims that the U.S. has provided more support to Ukraine than its European allies, the facts say otherwise. The European Union and individual European countries have provided close to $145 billion in aid, with some—such as Poland and the Baltic states—contributing more relative to their GDP than the U.S. Demanding that Ukraine “repay” American aid while European nations do not impose such conditions undermines the idea of a united Western front.
Trading Ukraine’s Sovereignty for Rare Earth Minerals is Not Diplomacy, But Blackmail. Ukraine has already expressed openness to cooperating with the U.S. and its allies in resource extraction. However, Trump’s framing of the issue—implying that aid is contingent on handing over natural resources—turns what should be a partnership into a transactional deal that treats Ukraine’s sovereignty as a bargaining chip. This is not just insulting to Ukraine; it also damages America’s credibility as a reliable ally.
Cutting Aid Now Will Cost the U.S. More in the Future. Trump assumes that reducing support will force Ukraine into a peace deal on Russia’s terms. In reality, this would only prolong the war, allow Putin to regroup, and set the stage for future aggression. If Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it will not stop there—Moldova, the Baltic states, and other NATO countries could be next. The U.S. would then face far greater financial and military costs, whether through increased NATO spending or direct military intervention.
America Must Choose Leadership, Not Retreat. Trump’s approach is not a strategy for victory—it is a blueprint for the West’s defeat. Abandoning Ukraine now will not make the U.S. stronger;
it will weaken American influence and embolden America’s adversaries. If the U.S. wants to maintain its leadership in the world, it must stand by its allies, not negotiate away their future.
Bohdan Cherniawski CD1, BScN, RN
bohdan.rn@gmail.com
(716)377-7739