Maybe he has his own game: MP Merezhko urges not to dismiss Trump as Ukraine’s ally

This was reported by Espreso correspondent Kateryna Halko.  

"I am absolutely convinced that the United States remains our reliable ally, partner, and friend. The situation has not changed. No matter who is president, it does not mean that the United States, as a state, changes its foreign policy course," the MP noted.  

He pointed out that while there are questions regarding Trump's intentions, it is essential to remember that "the United States is not just the president, but also other democratic institutions."  

"This includes Congress, where we have support among Democrats and a significant number of Republicans, as well as society and the academic community," Merezhko added.

To support his opinion, the MP referred to a poll showing that most Republicans support Ukraine.  

"The only thing I would like to emphasize is that, in my opinion, a lot depends on a direct meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. Because the statements that occasionally appear raise many questions that need answers," he noted.  

He believes that the key issue now is whether President Trump has a clear strategy regarding Ukraine and how to end Russian aggression against the country.  

"I don’t know whether such a strategy exists or not, but I assume it might not be public. However, it would be good to have some discussions. For example, maybe even today, between the Ukrainian and American delegations. In my view, this could be an important step toward improving our relations," the MP emphasized.  

According to Merezhko, supporting Ukraine is not just a moral obligation but also a strategic interest of the United States.  

"Let's not dismiss either the United States or President Trump. Maybe he has his own game plan. I don’t fully understand it. But we must remember that supporting Ukraine is ultimately in the national interest of the United States," Merezhko explained.  

He added that from a geostrategic perspective, countering Russian dominance in Europe is crucial for the U.S.  

"Right now, Ukraine is essentially a shield preventing Russia from achieving dominance and becoming a hegemon in Europe. And, by the way, preventing such dominance by the Russian empire is precisely a geostrategic interest of the United States. So, logically, supporting Ukraine is a key national interest for the U.S., and this needs to be discussed," the MP concluded.

• Senior U.S. officials have stated they “do not want to hear” any requests from Ukraine regarding the restoration of the country’s borders to their 2014 or 2022 status. The Center for Countering Disinformation denied these claims.