The piece revolves around the recent Oval Office confrontation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Trump, and Vice President Vance, which underscored Washington’s pressure on Kyiv to accept an unfavorable cease-fire. The White House insists Ukraine has no leverage and must halt military operations, while Ukraine maintains that surrendering under Russian terms would mean capitulation.

Axar.az_(Foreign Affairs) reports, in the article Ukraine Without America, Andriy Zagorodnyuk analyzes Ukraine’s capacity to continue resisting Russia despite the withdrawal of U.S. military aid under the Trump administration.

Despite heavy losses, Russia has struggled to achieve its military objectives, while Ukraine, though facing challenges such as manpower shortages and restricted access to advanced weaponry, has successfully adapted with new warfighting methods, particularly drones.

European support, bolstered by a recent summit in London, could sustain Ukraine’s resistance and even allow it to regain lost ground.

Zagorodnyuk argues that Washington has the leverage to pressure Russia—through tightened sanctions and increased military aid—but instead, the Trump administration’s stance risks empowering Putin. He warns that a cease-fire without security guarantees would allow Russia to regroup and launch an even more devastating offensive.

The article compares Ukraine’s situation to that of South Korea, suggesting that long-term Western military and economic support could enable Ukraine to build a formidable defense and deter future Russian aggression, ultimately securing lasting peace.

To the full article.