Trump’s Call with Putin Leaves Kyiv in Despair: “Ukraine is Being Screwed”

‘I Feel Angry and Betrayed’: Ukrainians React to Trump’s Call with Putin

In the heart of Kyiv, as the sun cast its winter chill through the city’s streets, the mood was palpably dark. The news of Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday evening had sent shockwaves through Ukrainian society, leaving many, like Olena Litovchenko, contemplating a future outside their homeland.

Olena, a personal trainer who has lived through the intensity of the war in Kyiv for three years, voiced the sentiment of many when she said, “It feels like Ukraine is being screwed.” Her reaction was not just to the news of the call but to the implications it carried. With Trump’s remarks suggesting a lack of support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, she considered fleeing the country, pondering where she might go next, “Europe is most certainly going to be next. Go to Australia? I don’t know. I feel angry and betrayed.”

The sentiment of betrayal was echoed across the city. Since Trump’s election win three months ago, Ukrainians had clung to a sliver of hope that the new US administration might not be as detrimental as feared. There were whispers and hopes that Trump might find a kindred spirit in Volodymyr Zelenskyy, another showman turned politician, or that his unpredictable nature might lead to an unexpected advantage for Ukraine. However, these hopes were dashed as Trump’s conversation with Putin made headlines, revealing a stark lack of support for Ukraine.

During Trump’s press conference post-call, he dismissed the notion of Ukraine being an equal partner in peace talks, hinting at a recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian territories. His focus was not on shared democratic values or solidarity against Russian aggression but rather on critiquing Zelenskyy’s popularity and aiming to reclaim US aid money. This was a stark departure from previous US policies, which emphasized coordination with Kyiv before any Kremlin engagements and supported Ukraine’s right to self-determination in peace negotiations.

Oleh Pavlyuk, writing for the respected Ukrainian news site Evropeiska Pravda, described Trump’s approach as a “cold shower” for those who supported Ukraine’s cause. The new US stance appeared to dismantle the foundational elements of American foreign policy towards Ukraine, leaving many feeling abandoned.

In interviews on the streets of Kyiv, the disillusionment was palpable. Oleksii, a 34-year-old IT worker, expressed his frustration, “I feel disappointed and angry. There is no certainty that this war will end for us, because Trump does not perceive us as an equal party in these negotiations.” His words captured the fear that without US backing, Ukraine’s position in the conflict could be significantly weakened.

Serhii, a 39-year-old soldier on leave from the front lines, was equally skeptical of any beneficial outcome from Trump’s diplomacy. Drawing from Trump’s previous term, Serhii labeled him “Putin’s doormat,” reflecting widespread skepticism about the sincerity of any peace negotiations under Trump’s influence. He voiced the complex emotions many feel about negotiating peace: the need for it but the dread that it might just be a pause for Russia to prepare another assault.

However, not all voices in Kyiv echoed this despair. Roman, a young chef at 20, saw the call as a pragmatic step towards peace, albeit with reservations about the cost. “I’m glad that the parties have started to find a common language, though I’m afraid at what cost,” he mused, indicating a segment of the population ready to embrace any form of peace over continued conflict.

Despite the general gloom, Zelenskyy maintained diplomatic relations, describing his subsequent conversation with Trump as “very good” while acknowledging the Putin call as “unpleasant.” This nuanced response reflects the delicate balancing act Zelenskyy must perform in navigating Trump’s administration. His upcoming attendance at the Munich Security Conference, where he is set to meet US VP JD Vance and European leaders, underscores the ongoing need for international support and dialogue.

Amid this complex backdrop, some still held onto a thread of hope regarding Trump’s unpredictability. An unnamed army officer from Donbas reflected on Trump’s volatile nature, suggesting, “The thing with Trump is that he’s totally unpredictable… So maybe when he sees that everyone is saying he has been outplayed by Putin, he’ll get offended and change course again. We can at least hope.”

In conclusion, the reactions in Kyiv to Trump’s call with Putin paint a picture of a nation at a crossroads, grappling with feelings of betrayal and uncertainty about its future. While some see the call as a step towards inevitable negotiations, the majority perceive it as a sign of diminishing support from what was once a staunch ally. The hope now lies in the unpredictable nature of international politics and Trump’s own mercurial temperament, which might yet steer the course in unexpected directions. As Ukraine continues to fight for its sovereignty, the world watches, and the people of Kyiv adjust to a new reality where they must navigate this altered landscape with resilience and strategic diplomacy.