LOS ANGEES (oc).–Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with the U.S. and European Union for more air defenses after another massive Russian strike on Ukrainian targets in Sloviansk and Chermihiv, reporting damage in several regions. Asking for more missile defense systems sounds like Zelensky has no plans to accept President Donald Trump’s peace plans that would end the nearly four-year-old war. Every time Russian President Vladimir Putin launches new strikes Zelensky calls them terrorist attacks, asking Western powers to deliver more defensive systems. “The priority is clear: More air defense systems and missiles, and more support for our defenders,” Zelensky said, calling for faster implementation. Zelensky has so far refused to enter into meaningful peace talks where all the death-and-destruction would end, allowing Ukraine to rebuild its war-torn economy.
What is the EU doing supporting Zelensky with more defense or offensive weapons when he’s done nothing but destroy his country over the last four years? More fighting only promises more of the same with the EU backing Zelensky bad mistake. Trump infuriated Zelensky telling him Feb. 28 to cut his losses, end the war and compromise with Putin on swapping land to end the war. Zelensky responded by bolting out of the Oval Office and running to the EU for help. EU officials led by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have encouraged Zelensky to keep fighting, urging Brussels to confiscate frozen Russian assets to fund the war. So far, there’s been enough opposition to the plan in the EU to stop it, especially from Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever who holds the frozen Russian cash.
Zelensky acts like he’s just starting the war Feb. 24, 2022 when he had high hopes with former President Joe Biden of vanquishing the Kremlin. Biden actually said the aim of the U.S. mission was to degrade the Russian military to the point it was not longer able to wage war. That’s all Putin needed to hear that he was actually at war with the U.S. and the collective West, not just Ukraine. Zelensky has taken a beating over the last four years and promises to continue driving Ukraine into the Stone Age. So, why does the EU, who admits they can’t afford to fund proxy war with the Kremlin, continue to mislead Zelensky? EU officials only this weekend warned Zelensky against accepting Trump’s peace deal that has Ukraine ceding sovereign territory to the Kremlin. Brussels knows that Ukraine hasn’t controlled Donetsk and Luhansk since before the March 1, 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Putin annexed Crimea to defend his naval and air assets after the so-called Maiden Revolution when CIA-backed, pro-Western forces toppled the Kremlin-backed government of Viktor Yanukovych. So, when it comes to Russian-speaking provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk they want no part of Zelensky’s Kiev government. After four years of war, Putin isn’t going to abandon Donetsk and Luhansk when he already controls 90% of the territory. Why the EU gives Zelensky false hopes is anyone’s guess? Looks like the EU resents Trump more than anything, will to sacrifice Ukraine in the process. Zelensky doesn’t want to admit to the Ukrainian people that he’s lost the nearly four-year war with Russia. Zelensky fears a coup d’etat if Ukrainians knew how much sovereign land he’s lost to the Kremlin in the last four years. More war only destroys Ukraine.
However many attacks Russia launched this week in Ukraine, it could all end if Zelensky accepts Trump’s formula for peace, the only way to end the war. Trump understands exactly what Putin needs to end the conflict. How ironic that Putin offered Zelensky the same deal in March 2022 when he asked Zelensky for independence of Donetsk and Luhansk and Russian sovereign over Crimea. “The primary targets of these strikes are infrastructure that keeps every day life going,” Zelenksy said, exposing another lie that Putin only targets civilian areas. Zelensky doesn’t’ need more Patriot missiles or other long-range missiles, he needs to compromise for the sake of his country. Zelensky doesn’t control Donetsk and Luhansk, so he has nothing to lose compromising on Ukrainian land. EU officials have been remiss encouraging Zelensky to keep fighting.
When it comes to the EU sabotaging Trump’s peace efforts, it makes you wonder how much resentment they have for Trump. Trump has done nothing but try to end the war anyway possible, including surrendering land to Putin. Brussels knows Putin’s requirements for peace but continues to back continued fighting. Macron, Merz and Starmer must ask themselves how they’re helping Ukraine by continuing the war? Trump has the right idea for Zelensky to cut his losses, make the necessary compromises, end the war and get to the long and costly job of rebuilding Ukraine. Zelensky doesn’t need more defensive or offensive weapons. He needs to sign Trump’s peace deal to end the war and save his country from more destruction. Trump doesn’t favor the Kremlin, he favors an end to the carnage and destruction. EU officials should stop playing games and back Trump.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
