"Great powers do not fear escalation"

It’s already clear: there will be no ceasefire. There will be new attacks, new killings of peaceful Ukrainians. The only reference to the negotiation process coming from the Kremlin is its desire to impress the U.S. president so that he ultimately agrees to a defeat.

In Putin’s logic, it looks exactly like this: “put up or shut up.” The U.S. must either accept its defeat or stop talking about peace talks and start acting to win the war that Russia, in its own perception, is waging not against Ukraine, but against the U.S.

Obviously, Donald Trump must decide on the future role of the U.S. in this war. Ukraine has accepted all the “peaceful” terms proposed by the American administration. But Putin wipes his feet on them every single day. Perhaps some believe the talks are “going great,” but at the same time, Russia continues killing hundreds of people. In the end, someone who truly wants to end the war does not launch shrapnel-filled missiles at children's playgrounds.

Two months ago, Keith Kellogg, criticizing the caution of the previous U.S. administration — which feared escalation — said a key phrase: “Great powers do not fear escalation.” And what is happening today in Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, Kharkiv — this is escalation by Putin.

America — the one Trump wants to make great again — must choose: to put up or to shut up. To accept defeat on Putin’s terms, or to stand with those calling for action — Keith Kellogg, Marco Rubio, and dozens of other American leaders who believe the U.S. must defend itself, support Ukraine, and do everything possible to stop the war. Do everything to ensure Ukraine endures — and wins.

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About the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament

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