Our perception of Trump is often skewed by media demonization, creating a distorted view of the former president.
In fact, Trump is more than just an eccentric unhinged figure; he holds a clear ideology. His focus is on prioritizing America as the foremost power, not positioning it as a savior. Trump opposes the messianic objectives of spreading democracy and freedom globally, steering away from alliances based on democratic principles. He contends that, under the guise of democratic values, allies exploit and benefit at the expense of Americans. Consequently, his discussions about potential NATO exits are rooted in a distinct ideology rather than mere hype or populism, as sometimes suggested.
Turning to Trump's stance on Ukraine, there are two facets to consider. Firstly, on a personal level, he faced scrutiny over the alleged pressure on Zelenskyy to investigate Biden, leading to impeachment attempts. This has left Trump with a negative disposition towards Ukraine. Secondly, Trump's primary adversary is China. He attributes the Democrats' policies to China's ascent, accusing them of allowing technology theft and exploiting the US market. In essence, he contends that the United States, through thoughtless policies, has inadvertently empowered a formidable adversary. And this is good news for Ukraine.
Regardless of Trump's stance on Ukraine, China holds greater significance for him. A deepening alliance between Putin and China would mean our defeat aligns with China's victory, a scenario he wouldn't accept. Consequently, I anticipate more substantial support under Trump than Biden. Trump, being a businessman, prefers advantageous deals from a position of strength. To prompt Putin to negotiate, Trump aims to strengthen us and, in turn, compel him to the bargaining table. This approach contrasts sharply with Biden's strategy of offering just enough support to signal resistance to Putin that might possibly compel him to negotiate.
Now, the downside. This year will be very traumatizing for us due to Trump's electoral maneuvers, with actions like blocking aid as part of his campaign. Unfortunately, this means reduced assistance and heightened uncertainty and agitation. Trump, aiming to destabilize Biden for electoral gain, may make bold declarations that will unsettle us. His stance on our decision not to hold elections is particularly worrisome; lack of support could place us in a precarious position.
Despite the challenges, we must be patient and distinguish between pre-election rhetoric and actual policy. In July 2016, months before the election, Trump hinted at recognizing Crimea as Russian and lifting sanctions. However, by December 2017, he decided to provide us with lethal weapons, a move Obama didn't make during the 2014 Russian aggression.
About the author. Victor Andrusiv, political and public figure, analyst and publicist
The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.