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Malcom Sears's avatar

Your article raises some valid historical points, but it fundamentally misses the mark on the most critical issue: America’s interests. It’s astounding that in all your analysis, there’s little acknowledgment that the U.S. is not Ukraine’s servant. We’ve poured billions of dollars into a conflict with no clear endgame and an increasingly diminished return on investment. To suggest that Ukraine—a country entirely dependent on American aid for its survival—gets to dictate the terms of peace is not just naïve; it’s absurd.

Ukraine’s ability to resist Russia relies almost exclusively on the United States and, to a lesser extent, Europe. Yet your article implies that America has no right to enforce a resolution that prioritizes its own interests. That is not how global power works. If Ukraine cannot guarantee its own security or fund its own war, it does not get to call the shots. Period. Pretending otherwise ignores the very real power dynamics at play.

Your dismissal of those who suggest “ending the war” as “childish” is a cheap shot that fails to engage with the legitimate concerns many Americans have about this endless military and financial commitment. It’s not childish to ask why we should continue writing blank checks for a war that does nothing to secure our borders, strengthen our economy, or protect American lives. It’s pragmatic. And your condescension doesn’t change that.

The crux of your argument seems to hinge on some fantasy scenario where the U.S. massively escalates aid, pushes Ukraine to victory, and achieves a “real peace.” But let’s be real—this isn’t 2022. Ukraine has been outmaneuvered, outnumbered, and outgunned. The West’s dithering early on may have cost Ukraine its chance at a decisive win, but that ship has sailed. No amount of HIMARS, tanks, or F-16s will change the reality on the ground now: Ukraine cannot win this war outright. Continuing to dump resources into a losing battle is the opposite of strategic thinking.

You also misread Trump’s likely approach. Trump doesn’t care about Ukraine’s feelings or optics. He cares about claiming credit for ending a costly, unwinnable conflict. And honestly, that’s what the American people want too. This isn’t about “defeating Russia”; it’s about stopping the hemorrhaging of American tax dollars into a war that has no bearing on our day-to-day lives. Trump forcing Ukraine and Russia to the table to sign an unfavorable peace treaty isn’t just realistic—it’s the smart play. America gains nothing from propping up a country that cannot stand on its own, no matter how noble you think the cause is.

At the end of the day, the truth is simple: Ukraine is a pawn in a much larger game, and pawns don’t get to make the rules. If America decides it’s time for peace, then it’s time for peace. And no amount of moralizing about Ukraine’s sovereignty changes the fact that our resources, not their resolve, are what’s keeping this war alive.

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