Editorial
Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office as the 47th President signals a seismic shift, one that could plunge Ukraine into unprecedented chaos, potentially sparking a military coup to remove Volodymyr Zelensky from power. Trump’s apparent disinterest in Ukraine foreshadows a sharp, destabilising pivot in US foreign policy, leaving Kyiv, which has relied heavily on Western aid, virtually defenceless. Zelensky’s tenuous grip, sustained by martial law and dependent on foreign support, faces a critical test—one that could end in him being ousted by a military frustrated with a prolonged, grinding war and a leader beholden to Western promises that no longer seem reliable.
Since the 2014 Maidan uprising, Ukraine has been a pawn in a larger geopolitical chess game, manipulated by Western actors with promises of support that have ultimately left the nation in perpetual conflict with Russia. Figures like Victoria Nuland and other staunch Democrats championed Ukraine’s alignment with Western interests, but at a tremendous cost to Ukraine’s stability. Now, with Trump back in power, the US stance will likely pivot sharply. Trump’s appetite for a “deal” with Russia—one that could easily sacrifice Ukraine’s security—may signal an end to the flow of Western financial and political support that Zelensky’s government has relied on. In this scenario, Ukraine is left vulnerable to internal upheaval, as the military, disillusioned by years of conflict and Zelensky’s weakened position, may see him as a liability rather than a leader.
Trump’s pragmatism has made his priorities unmistakable: he seeks “peace” with Russia, and this “peace” may well come at Ukraine’s expense. Trump’s approach could shake Europe to its core, as it has been woefully unprepared for a US indifferent to NATO’s traditional obligations. The European Union, lulled by media assurances that Biden’s Vice President Kamala Harris would secure the presidency, must now confront an American leader who sees NATO less as a protector and more as a negotiable asset. Emmanuel Macron’s recent call for Europe to act as an “omnivore”—ready to be both partner and competitor—rings hollow from a leader weakened by domestic strife and sinking approval ratings. Germany, likewise, finds itself politically unstable, struggling with internal turmoil and economic challenges, leaving the European powerhouses scrambling for answers. Over-reliant on a NATO no longer led by a committed US, Europe may soon find itself unable to prevent Ukraine’s potential downfall.
If Trump’s administration deprioritises Ukraine, Zelensky’s future is uncertain at best. His wartime role, held together by martial law and a now-dwindling foreign support base, grows more precarious by the day. Should his alliance with the West become an overt liability, Ukraine’s military could very well view a coup as the only viable route to stability. Zelensky would find himself isolated, with NATO and the EU offering words of support but no meaningful action, while his own citizens grow tired of a seemingly endless conflict and ineffective leadership. European leaders, blindsided by their misplaced confidence in a Democratic victory, are now in a frenzy, desperately trying to recalibrate as their eastern flank teeters on the edge. For Ukraine, abandoned by a retreating West, the consequences of a Trump-led America could be irreversible.
In this new world order, America’s foreign policy under Trump will be unapologetically self-serving, cutting deals with former adversaries, neglecting long-standing allies, and single-mindedly pursuing US gain. Ukraine, once the frontline of a broader ideological battle, may now find itself expendable. Europe, watching its influence dwindle as NATO’s strength erodes, stands helpless. The stage is set for Ukraine’s internal disintegration—a harsh reckoning for a nation that trusted Western pledges, now evaporating as Trump forges his path forward. Europe, fragmented, unprepared, and overwhelmed by its dependence on NATO, will have no recourse as Ukraine suffers the fallout of American indifference. In Trump’s world, the survival of Ukraine’s President may simply no longer matter.
