The Misconception of Power: Trump’s Misjudgment of Zelensky
Out of all the misleading and offensive remarks Donald Trump made about Volodymyr Zelensky recently, one comment stood out—not for its dishonesty, but for its disturbing sincerity. Trump claimed, “I’ve been watching for years, and I’ve been watching him negotiate with no cards. He has no cards. And you get sick of it.” The phrase “sick of it” is particularly chilling because it reveals Trump’s genuine frustration and boredom with the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Trump has spread numerous falsehoods about the war’s origins, Zelensky’s popularity, and the levels of U.S. and European support for Ukraine, his admission of being “sick” of the conflict rings true. Trump is bored because he doesn’t understand the complexities of the war, nor does he know how to end it. For him, the solution is simple: change the channel and move on.
Trump’s dismissal of Zelensky as a leader with “no cards” reflects his own worldview, where power is measured solely by wealth and brute force. In Trump’s universe, true players are those who wield unlimited money, unchecked authority, and immunity from accountability. Leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, who rule with an iron fist, fit this definition. But Trump is wrong. Zelensky may not have vast riches or dictatorial power, yet he possesses a different kind of strength—one rooted in the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people. Zelensky leads a society that has become a global symbol of courage, a nation where ordinary citizens, journalists, and local leaders have come together to fight for their freedom and sovereignty.
The Resilience of Ukraine: A Society United
Three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s resilience continues to defy expectations. On the night of February 24, 2022, as Russian forces launched their assault, many predicted a swift capitulation. Instead, Ukraine’s citizens chose to resist. From the hit squads sent to assassinate Zelensky to the horrifying massacres in Bucha, the early days of the war revealed both the brutality of Russia’s aggression and the determination of the Ukrainian people. Civilians joined the army, journalists risked their lives to document the truth, and ordinary individuals, like waitresses, began cooking for soldiers. These acts of defiance and solidarity were not just spontaneous reactions; they were part of a broader movement that has sustained Ukraine’s fight for survival.
Today, Ukraine’s civil society remains a powerful force. Its defense industry has transformed from small, makeshift workshops producing drones with rudimentary materials to factories now manufacturing millions of drones annually. Ukrainian engineers and programmers have developed sophisticated software to coordinate military operations, targeting Russian forces with precision. As a result, despite Russia’s relentless offensive, its progress has been slow. According to the Institute for the Study of War, at the current rate, it would take Russia 83 years to capture the remaining 80% of Ukraine. This is not just a testament to Ukraine’s military efforts but to the unwavering resolve of its people.
Putin’s Strategy: Winning the War of Minds
Russia’s inability to achieve a decisive victory on the battlefield has forced Vladimir Putin to shift his strategy. He knows that his military cannot sustain this war indefinitely, as Russia’s economy is being hollowed out by the conflict. With inflation soaring and resources dwindling, Putin’s best chance of success lies in exploiting the war’s psychological toll on Ukraine’s allies. His goal is to create a sense of hopelessness and fatigue, convincing the West that the war is unwinnable. This is why Putin has invested heavily in propaganda and disinformation, targeting audiences in the U.S. and Europe. His agents have infiltrated social media, funded pro-Russian influencers, and even backed far-right candidates in European elections.
Putin’s efforts are not just about spreading lies; they are about eroding the West’s collective will to support Ukraine. He knows that if Ukraine’s allies lose their resolve, the country will be left vulnerable to Russian aggression. This is why Trump’s remarks about Zelensky are so dangerous. By dismissing Ukraine’s leader as powerless and expressing his own boredom with the war, Trump is inadvertently advancing Putin’s agenda. The former president’s rhetoric plays directly into the Russian leader’s strategy of psychological warfare, undermining the very alliance that has kept Ukraine in the fight.
The High Stakes of the War: A Global struggle for Democracy
The stakes of this war are as high today as they were on the night it began. Putin’s ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine. He seeks to dismantle the democratic order that has maintained peace and stability in Europe for decades. By destroying Ukraine’s sovereignty, he hopes to send a message to the world that the era of American leadership is over—that the U.S. will no longer stand by its allies, whether in Europe, Asia, or elsewhere. Putin’s vision is one of chaos and fear, where the rules and laws that have governed international relations since World War II are discarded.
The war will only truly end when Putin abandons these goals. Any peace deal that allows him to achieve even a portion of his objectives would be a betrayal of Ukraine and a victory for authoritarianism. The democratic world cannot afford to let its guard down, even in the face of mounting fatigue. Ukrainians have shown remarkable courage and resilience, but they cannot win this war alone. The U.S. and Europe must continue to provide military, economic, and diplomatic support, while also resisting the false narratives peddled by Russian propagandists and their unwitting allies in the West.
The Democratic World’s Response: Resisting Cynicism and Lies
The temptation to give in to boredom, cynicism, and nihilism is understandable. Wars are long, costly, and often invisible to those not directly affected. But the consequences of abandoning Ukraine would be catastrophic. Europeans and Americans, Democrats and Republicans, must find the strength to resist these temptations. They must reject the lies and propaganda that seek to undermine Ukraine’s cause, even when those lies are repeated by influential figures like Donald Trump. The democratic world has far more power than it realizes, and Ukraine’s struggle is a testament to that power.
Zelensky may not have the wealth or the brute force that Trump admires, but he has something far more valuable: the support of a united and determined people. Ukraine’s story is not just about warfare; it is about the power of civil society, the importance of democratic values, and the resilience of the human spirit. As the war drags on, the world must remember what is at stake and refuse to let Putin win in the one place where he still can: in the hearts and minds of Ukraine’s allies.
