In an electrifying rebuke, Ukraine’s former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has torched Donald Trump’s proposed peace strategy with Russia, branding it a perilous gamble with Ukraine’s very existence. The outspoken diplomat minced no words, labeling the former U.S. president’s quick-fix solution as “an illusion” that ignores the harsh reality of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unwavering ambition to annihilate Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“Putin Is Playing Chess While the West Plays Checkers”
“Putin is obsessed with obliterating Ukraine’s independence and exposing the West’s incapacity to stop him,” Kuleba declared. He warned that any peace plan built on concessions to Russia would amount to rewarding aggression, giving Putin free rein to redraw Europe’s borders by force. For Ukraine, this isn’t just a political game—it’s a fight for survival.
Kuleba’s warnings come at a critical moment as Western nations, particularly the United States and Germany, grapple with waning enthusiasm for continued military support to Ukraine. Kuleba painted a bleak picture of a geopolitical landscape in which the West’s hesitation is emboldening Moscow.
“Russia Has Allies—What About Ukraine?”
One of Kuleba’s sharpest criticisms was aimed at the West’s inconsistent and lukewarm approach compared to Russia’s ironclad alliances. “Look at Russia,” he said. “While Putin brings North Korea to the table, ready to send soldiers, Ukraine is left pleading for basic military aid from its so-called allies. This disparity is dangerous and unacceptable.”
Ukraine has repeatedly emphasized the need for sustained Western backing, particularly advanced weapons systems that can level the battlefield. Kuleba expressed frustration that these requests often meet sluggish or conditional responses, with some nations dragging their feet in providing lethal aid.
“While we wait, Russia is regrouping, rearming, and recalibrating its strategy,” Kuleba warned. “The longer this goes on, the more costly it becomes—not just for Ukraine, but for global security.”
Germany’s Political Wobbles Threaten Unity
The former foreign minister also directed his concerns toward Germany, a key player in Europe’s response to the war. With early elections on the horizon, Kuleba fears political instability in Berlin could undercut its military and economic support for Kyiv. He didn’t mince words: “Germany’s uncertainty is a crack in the armor of Western solidarity. We cannot afford hesitation at this moment.”
The risk, Kuleba argued, is that Putin will exploit even the smallest divisions within the Western alliance. His strategy, according to Kuleba, hinges on outlasting Western resolve, betting that democratic nations will tire of a prolonged conflict and leave Ukraine vulnerable.
Trump’s “One-Day Peace Deal” Draws Sharp Rebuke
Trump’s suggestion that he could resolve the Ukraine war within 24 hours was met with derision by Kuleba, who described such claims as naive at best and reckless at worst. “Anyone who believes peace can be brokered overnight doesn’t understand the depth of Putin’s ambitions,” Kuleba said. “This is not a simple dispute over territory—it’s an existential battle against imperialism.”
By proposing a hasty negotiation, Trump risks undermining Ukraine’s efforts to secure a fair and lasting resolution. According to Kuleba, such a move would send a dangerous signal to autocrats worldwide: that aggression and war crimes can be rewarded with diplomatic concessions.
A Call to Action for the West
Kuleba concluded with a stark warning to Western nations: If they falter now, they may not just lose Ukraine—they may lose the credibility of the global rules-based order. He urged allies to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible, unwavering support to Kyiv.
“We need actions, not words,” he said. “Anything less than total commitment risks not just the survival of Ukraine but the security of Europe and the democratic world.”
As the conflict grinds on, Kuleba’s impassioned plea lays bare the stakes of this war: a clash of ideologies, where the future of Ukraine—and the international balance of power—hangs in the balance. Whether the West will rise to meet this historic challenge or succumb to the pressures of fatigue and division remains to be seen.