UNAIR NEWS – U.S. President Donald Trump held another meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week. The meeting, initially expected to pave the way for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, unfortunately, did not unfold as smoothly as anticipated.
Offering his perspective on the event, Radityo Dharmaputra, a lecturer in International Relations department, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), described the meeting as indicative of how the U.S. perceives Ukraine’s approach to securing Trump’s favor—by acquiescing to his demands. The U.S. appears determined to enforce a peace agreement, though its pressure seems to be disproportionately placed on Ukraine.
Diplomatic fiasco
Dharmaputra noted that Zelensky had little choice but to respond, as provocative and problematic statements from U.S. Vice President JD Vance placed him in a difficult position. Remaining silence would have risked making him appear complicit in Vance’s remarks in the eyes of the Ukrainian public.
“This meeting turned into a diplomatic fiasco that left all parties worse off. Trump’s stance, while frustrating to many, was predictable—entirely transactional and focused solely on U.S. interests. His approach underscores America’s disregard for collective interests or the perspectives of smaller nations,” he stated.
Major Setback for Ukraine
Dharmaputra highlighted that the U.S.’s subsequent decision to halt aid to Ukraine, along with further statements from American officials, has significantly weakened Ukraine’s position. Without continued U.S. support, Ukraine will face even greater challenges in countering Russia, particularly if European nations fail to fill the gap.
“Zelensky has no viable alternatives in this situation and must attempt to rebuild relations with Trump. This was evident in his recent statement on Platform X, where he sought to reconcile by proposing a mineral deal for immediate approval. However, he is now attempting to balance this by securing support from the UK and France,” Dharmaputra explained.
Clarifying Ukraine’s position
Dharmaputra further noted that while Ukraine is in a precarious position, the situation also brings a strategic reality into focus—it should prioritize deeper cooperation with Europe rather than relying on the U.S. He argued that the U.S. can no longer be regarded as a dependable hegemon in mediating peace between Ukraine and Russia.
“Ukraine should seriously consider strengthening its partnerships with European nations. The total aid provided by Europe has already surpassed that of the U.S., and a substantial portion of American aid ultimately flows back to U.S. companies through military equipment purchases. This challenges the narrative that Ukraine should feel indebted to the U.S. for its assistance,” he concluded.
Author: Rifki Sunarsis Ari Adi
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
