By John Q. Hosedrinker 
According to a leaked note from a recent call, Emmanuel Macron warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy of a potential US betrayal regarding Ukrainian territory and security guarantees. Der Spiegel reported that other European leaders voiced concerns about Washington’s approach to negotiations, with some suggesting the US was “playing games” with Ukraine. The article highlights that several leaders, including those in high positions, agreed that there was a need to protect Ukraine. A separate report was published, and it details a flurry of diplomacy that followed, including meetings between US and Ukrainian negotiators and a visit by Trump’s envoy to Moscow.
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Macron reportedly warned Zelenskyy US may ‘betray Ukraine on territory’— this is a chilling concept, and one that feels increasingly plausible given the current global political climate. It’s almost a given that the US is already, in some ways, letting Ukraine down. It’s certainly a betrayal of promises made, and the implications of this potential betrayal are incredibly serious. It’s a sad state of affairs when such warnings become “standard diplomatic small talk.” It really makes you wonder what kind of secrets are being kept.
The underlying question is, of course, what would compel the US to make such a move? One cannot help but consider the influence of figures like Trump. The rhetoric is alarming. Reading his social media rants and listening to his public pronouncements feels like taking a peek into Putin’s playbook. One can’t help but wonder if Putin has some kind of leverage over Trump. It seems increasingly likely that a former US president might actively assist Russia. The very thought is frightening.
Instead of focusing on all the “what ifs,” perhaps the EU should be taking more decisive action. Why hasn’t the EU taken more concrete steps to support Ukraine with financial backing and increased military production? The EU had four years to prepare and didn’t. The EU has been sitting on their hands, expecting the US to do everything. This is a very precarious situation. This should have been a wakeup call for the EU when the US was providing most of the supplies and support to Ukraine from the beginning of the war.
Europe needs to step up. Many of the European countries did not prepare for war at the end of the Cold War and now it is in their backyard. Poland, at least, seems to understand the gravity of the situation. Poland is investing in its military. France, however, seems to have a more lackadaisical approach. There is also a major concern that the United States is moving backward. There’s a general sense that the US is going back in time.
If Macron did issue such a warning, it suggests a profound lack of trust in the US. Imagine having to rely on a country where the outcome of the next election could fundamentally alter your entire war strategy. It’s hard to believe how the US is betraying itself. The situation is dire, to say the least.
The core of the issue is the potential influence of Trump. If Trump were to win the election, his past statements and apparent affinity for Putin raise serious questions about his willingness to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It’s very possible that a win would bring the war to a close in a way that is favorable to Russia. It’s all too easy to imagine Trump cozying up to Putin. It feels like the shepherd is offering an easy out for Putin. The sad part is that most of his supporters probably would not care. They would just dismiss any criticism as “fake news.”
The idea that Trump might be a Russian asset has been discussed for years. The evidence is complex and circumstantial, but the connections he has and the financial dealings he’s had with Russia are concerning. There is the money trail that involves Russian banks “loaning” Trump a ton of money. One can’t help but ask, is Putin getting Trump to unravel the entire post-war world order?
There’s also the suggestion of potential kompromat, specifically involving allegations of child exploitation. If Putin had something like that, it would explain a lot. Whether it’s money, or information, or something else entirely, it’s clear that something is influencing Trump’s actions and making him act in ways that benefit Russia. This is not just a betrayal of Ukraine; it’s a betrayal of the values and principles the US is supposed to stand for.