‘It is best to have never began it. You might have made a deal.’
Those words echoed in my head as I read on my phone what US President Donald Trump said about my home country, Ukraine.
The exact same country which was viciously attacked three years ago on February 24, 2022, when Vladimir Putin gave the orders to invade, resulting in the deaths of greater than 100,000 civilians and soldiers.
But checking social media, I couldn’t help but chuckle as I saw fellow Ukrainians share memes in regards to the situation, attempting to laugh whilst the very heart of our nation was attacked.
In the previous few days, there’s been a lot support and mobilisation from Ukrainians who’re speaking up publicly, expressing themselves on social media and sharing jokes online.
Trump hasn’t made it easy for us. This dry humour has helped us to cope with the uncertainties thrust upon us this week by America’s president.
I’ve lived in Ukraine for 22 years of my life. To listen to the person leading one among our best allies say to the world that we began the war that upended my life and others was infuriating and outright unsuitable.
Any Ukrainian will inform you Trump’s claims about Ukraine will not be in any way, shape or form representative of Ukrainian views.
It’s widely believed that Trump represents Russian views, those of Putin. Our values in Ukraine are so different from Trump’s values.
Freedom. Dignity. Justice. Claiming that our president, who has led the country through three years of war is ‘refusing’ to have elections and is ranked low in polls is absurd.
The one thing more unbelievable is that Trump thinks Zelensky is a dictator.
‘A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy higher move fast or he just isn’t going to have a Country left,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.
It is a slap within the face to our country and our people, however it’s what we expected from Trump.
We all know his past, we all know his political ideology.
Ukrainians know he’s sided with the Russian view of the world. I, like so many others, lost hope when he was elected in November.
But his latest comments have seriously damaged Ukraine’s image on a global level at some of the pivotal times within the war.
Peace talks are ongoing without Ukrainian representatives.
Russia has already interpreted Trump’s comments as a private win – Trump has empowered Putin with these comments.
Essentially the most concerning comment for myself and my fellow countrymen was Trump saying Ukraine didn’t wish to end this war. It’s insane.
Responsible Ukraine in a situation like this, when our country was invaded and bombarded by Russia – and responsible us for wanting to guard ourselves and our country?
That is the mass murder of our people.
The world has seen the horrific photos of mass killings and rapes by Russian troops – hearing that is our fault for ‘not wanting to present in’ is absurd.
Where will we go from here? Ukrainians should be within the negotiation process. I’m terrified that the peace deal won’t include Ukrainian interests in any respect.
Trump’s disinformation narratives are only being fueled by his media outlets. His statements aren’t backed by factual information.
Nearly all of our population supports Zelensky. Trump, and America, clearly misunderstand the war.
As told to Sarah Hooper
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