The revelation of a massive embezzlement in the energy sector, Trump's disgraceful 28-point ultimatum, the tragic news of Russia's attack on Ternopil, and the grim updates from the front practically coincided in time - and this happened not by chance. Such a coincidence does not occur without reason.
The reason is evidently that at this historical moment, the aspirations and whims of the Moscow and American elites have situationally aligned. They are seeking opportunities to establish a different agenda in the world, at the expense of Ukraine and the blood of Ukrainians, playing with the land of Ukraine and the future of the Ukrainian people.
Well, there is no doubt about what Moscow wants from us. Of course, it is disappointing and disgusting that the leadership of the United States - our strategic partner, whose assistance cannot be overestimated - behaves as it does. However, there are no longer any illusions regarding the fundamental principles (though what principles are there) and approaches that Trump and his followers adhere to. But the fact remains: this is indeed a very difficult moment for Ukraine.
The Guilt of Ukraine's Military-Political Leadership
Currently, there is an active discourse in the West suggesting that it is time to stop helping Ukraine because everything is being embezzled anyway, Ukraine is corrupt and unworthy of support, and taxpayers' money from the U.S. and Europe is going to the "golden toilets" of Ukrainian officials. This is being reported by all influential international media.
This thesis is a significant factor of pressure on Ukraine, which was recently verbalized in Kyiv by the U.S. Secretary of the Army, Trump's new favorite, Dan Driscoll. "Stop this shit" - that is how he expressed himself, without mincing words, and this was not said about the embezzlement of money by the Ukrainian elite, nor about Moscow's aggression. It was said in Kyiv about the war that Ukraine is forced to wage, defending itself against the Moscow onslaught.
“Stop this shit and agree to the 28 points.” It is clear that the higher military-political leadership of Ukraine has earned conversations in such a tone.
The Ukrainian military and society bear a tremendous burden of war. The casualties and losses are colossal. Against this backdrop, the looting by the leadership appears - and is - a crime against the Ukrainian people. The political and legal responsibility of the powerful, unyielding managers of the green team is inevitable. Of course, this will take time. However, considering the vast capabilities of global institutions in tracking and documenting stolen money, especially on such a scale, the task of "pinching" all these miscreants is technically not very difficult. Sooner or later, it will be done.
Although the issue is not about the miscreants or even Ali Baba. For all this disgraceful nonsense, for the formation of a negative image of Ukraine in the world, for the fact that we find ourselves in such a regrettable position, the responsibility lies with the President of Ukraine. Explanations like "I didn't know," "I didn't hear," "I didn't see" - are not accepted.
What He Says, and How
Of course, there were many expectations from the President of Ukraine - what he would say, what position he would take in this situation. What we heard:
- Psychological preparation of the audience for accepting "difficult decisions" - all in the context of inevitability. And the very concept of inevitability is frankly manipulative: it makes people believe that there is simply no other way out (which is obviously being prepared).
- Shifting responsibility from the government in general and personally from himself through a focus on external factors - "pressure on Ukraine," "risk of losing a key partner" - instead of saying that my managers have embezzled, and therefore Ukraine may stop receiving help.
- Portraying the Ukrainian government as a victim of circumstances - in the style of "we are being forced," trying to hide behind Ukraine as such: "we are being pressured." Who is this "we"? The Office of the President? The president and government? The military leadership? The Ukrainian society?
- Manipulation about the necessity of accepting one evil out of two - as if there are no other options ("either 28 points or a harsh winter") - clearly to make society swallow these damn points.
- Playing on fear with escalating stakes: harsh winter, loss of a partner, loss of hope, loss of the future: thus, we will be pushed to accept "difficult decisions," as only frightened people will agree to what they otherwise would not.
- Manipulations of the concepts of "dignity" and "justice." Yes, these are very important concepts for Ukrainian society. But certainly not for the Ukrainian government. Therefore, here the president has slightly overplayed. To appeal to these concepts in the context of the complete absence of dignity and justice in the actions of the government - perhaps, it should not have been done. As they say, whose cow moos.
- And the catastrophic, typically demagogic absence of necessary specifics. What concessions to Moscow should be discussed? What points require further development? Which we can never agree to, because it would mean the death of Ukraine? In what direction will the negotiations go? Instead of this - winter, partners, difficult choice, we need to unite…
- Self-praise: "I swear," "I will not betray," "I will fight," etc. Continues to create an image and play the leader of the nation.
“In the life of every nation, a moment comes…”
…a moment when everyone needs to speak honestly, calmly…” In other words, "without any fuss." Well, then it should have been said:
- my managers have embezzled;
- the image of Ukraine as a state fighting evil has been discredited;
- mobilization has failed, the state's defense capability is not up to par;
- I am responsible for all this, and therefore, indeed - this is a difficult moment;
- and therefore I propose the following steps (a lot could be written here)
Instead, the Ukrainian negotiating group on "peace settlement" will be led by Ali Baba, the most internationally and domestically toxic figure in Ukrainian politics.
Well, it is evident that there is really no one to advise the president that this is unacceptable. Or there are people, but there is no desire to listen.
