We spent a night with the judges who are downing the Shaheds over Kyiv. In the Middle East, the U.S. is still learning how to repel massive drone attacks, while Ukraine has been doing it for years.
I agree with the comment above from Linda. I am an American, a former Marine, and I love my country. But I have visceral hatred for what my country is doing right now in the Middle East. I am beyond hatred with regards to what it has not done on behalf of Ukraine. It makes me physically ill to watch what the elected leadership of the USA has done w/regards to failing to exercise any leadership, any humanity with regards to Ukraine. But I don’t see much in the way of real choice with how the Ukrainian government reacts to the realities the ‘most powerful’ military is facing in the Middle East. It sickens me inside that I feel the Ukrainian government must prove they have value to the US in tactics and methods to combat drone attacks. They likely have determined that perhaps the US will be, “grateful” to them for sharing what they have learned in four years of fighting the Russians as Russia tries to obliterate their country. They likely know that the US will say, ‘thanks!’, and then return to abandoning them in their battle. And that makes me sick inside as well. But they likely rationalize that their choice are limited. To Ukraine, I am grateful you would even consider helping the USA. You demonstrate your humanity while suffering the attempt to dehumanize you at every turn. From one human to another, I pray you find a way to trade your knowledge and skill for something to help your country survive. From a jaded citizen of the USA, I only expect the worst from my government. And I guess you probably do too.
Thank you for sharing such a raw and honest perspective. As a veteran, it’s clear how much it hurts to see the values you served to defend feel so absent in leadership right now. Your empathy for Ukraine is truly appreciated!
Do you think the 'leadership' you're looking for is even possible in today’s political climate?
Thanks Anna. The answer is, ‘not today ‘. But I believe things are changing rapidly in the US. WE are battling our own tyrannical regime right now. I believe that if (A Big IF !) we have reasonably free and fair elections this coming November, a significant change will occur. But the Trump Regime is evil, fully staffed with demented servants wishing to please their Orange God. It may get worse in the USA in the short term before things improve. Many now realize they have been lied to, that they have been fooled, that they elected a warped and evil misanthropic tyrant. I hope for my country - and the world -that it isn’t too late. But the damage being done in the US is real and reverberating around the globe.
Oh look, Ukraine does, in fact, have the cards; get something for them and make sure it’s binding because unfortunately, this administration can’t be trusted.
I am American and German. I currently live in Germany. The American in me does not want Ukraine helping the US help Russia to become even wealthier from their oil and then further bomb Ukraine. They must get something from the US for their help. Trump despises all of these European countries begging him to lower their tariffs and to help Ukraine. They need to be transactional with Trump that is the only thing he understands. Asking him to be nice is not making a deal in his mind.
The German in me does not want Merz begging Trump for anything, and not throwing PM Sanchez of Spain under the bus. It does not want Ukraine helping the US out even though they have a right to be against Iran because Iran has been sharing their Shaheeds and plans for making them with Russia.
Ukraine is teaching the US tech and the US is going to be using it against Ukraine in the end, because the way that Trump sees the world is that there is a club, and he is in it because he has the mighty US military, and the EU and Ukraine are not in the club. Neither is Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Canada, or Iran. Who is in the Club are the Emirates, Saudis, Qataris, Kuwaitis, Bahrain, Turkey, Israel, and Russia. This club looks the other way when their members do something illegal because they are not used to having consequences for their actions.
There is another club that does not include Trump but includes most of these other countries and China and North Korea.
Trump is attacking Iran not because he cares about the regime change, other than to get rid of the leadership, but it was just replaced by more of the same. He also is not targeting nuclear weapons. So, what is he doing there? Making himself rich. Why should Ukraine support this?
Also, I see your tracker of who is supporting them helping the US. I bet that is all Russian bots.
Thank you for your comment!! Do you think there’s any way for Ukraine to make a "deal" with this administration that actually guarantees their long-term security, or is it always going to be a temporary fix?
I tend to agree with my fellow subscribers here - Ukraine should take a steely eyed, transactional, more self-interested position in sharing their hard-won drone defense expertise and technology. Maybe a flat out exchange for additional weapons. Or a direct Ukrainian budget grant for economic/humanitarian aid.
After all, once Trump became President, US aid to Ukraine dropped to ZERO (the Biden Administration gave some $175 billion). US weapons continue to flow, but only after European allies have paid for them.
It's a good question. Let's face it: President Trump does not "like" President Zelenskyy. So, I think there's a very delicate balance here: finding the right amount of steadfastness for Ukrainian interests without pissing off Trump ("Ukraine is ungrateful"). If incorrectly played, US support (such as it is) could actually get worse (e.g. refusal to even sell weapons).
It's probably a bit naive if me to think that Ukraine can sell its drone technology too hard vis-a-vis the US. Just another example of just how hard and tough President Zelenskyy's job is.....
Missing in today's newsletter: "Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands." I trust this state of affairs is still accurate..
On the other matter, I am so angered at Trump's manifest illegal war in Iran that I would send him no--ZERO--help. Ukraine, a fledging democracy, needs the defense weapons and I'd rather let Iran burn. It costs $1B a day to fight the Iran war, a tenth of that amount seemed too much for US Congress to spend for an ally. I am ashamed for my country.
Thank you so much for pointing it out, Kyiv remains firmly in Ukrainian hands. Also,if the U.S. continues to prioritize this new war over Ukraine, do you think Europe will finally step up to fill that $175 billion gap on its own?
Ukrainian aid for antidrone defense against Iran is important leverage. It's cards--in trump's preferred terms. Ukraine has something it can trade for what it needs immediately for its own defense, while banking up "soft" credits to use later in diplomacy. There is also immediate and long-term economic opportunity in cementing defense materiel supply chains with the U.S. and other countries.
Russia has nothing trump or the Gulf states need or want. Ukraine can remind the world that it is a strong, reliable, and valuable ally on the international stage, as it did with the Grain from Ukraine initiative. It is an ally worth saving.
Ukraine has shown that it is not only a country asking for support, but also a country that can contribute to global security, especially through its experience with modern warfare like counter-drone defense. But how sustainable is this strategy for Ukraine in the long term while we are still fighting a war?
Yes, that's the key question, and only Ukraine can answer it. Survival certainly outweighs any advantages of leverage per se. The release of India from the U.S. sanctions against Russian oil imports is a pointed reminder that trump will always save himself first.
It’s very heart-warming to read a story about the valiant efforts of Ukrainian judges, including Supreme Court judges, to shoot down Russian shaheds.
Too many times I would read that Ukrainian Supreme Court Justices were part of the problem of persistent Ukrainian corruption. Too often one would read that the biggest obstacle to ridding Ukraine of corrupt oligarchs was that the judges themselves were corrupt and open to bribery which led to impunity for the plutocrats. They were part of the system it was alleged.
Thank you so much for your comment! Do you think such contribution to the war might accelerate trust and reform within Ukraine’s institutions, including the judiciary?
I'm sorry. Maybe I missed something. What does Ukraine get in return for this magnanimous gesture of help to the US and Israel in their ill-conceived war? Normally I would not be so cold-hearted, but Ukraine has been treated so horribly by the USA "leaders," I'm angry.
If Trump "promises" compensation of some sort for the help, GET IT IN WRITING AND ANY MONEY PROMISED UP FRONT.
Oh wow. Speaking as an American citizen, I do not trust this current administration as far as I could toss Donald Trump, which isn’t far! I would not make ANY “deal” with them currently, nor would I volunteer to help the US in any way if I were Ukraine—-especially because of the disrespectful treatment Ukraine has received from Washington, DC.
💙💛 I agree with others who have said that Ukraine IF they share counter-drone measures, should lock in something concrete in return. Absolutely the US (and Israel et al) would reverse engineer any tech supplied ASAP & not bother with buying it from Ukraine into the future. Play your cards Ukraine & get something valuable in the way of hardware or anti-Russian movement locked in, BEFORE handing anything over 💪💙💛 Much as I would be averse to "helping" with this Iran war, Ukraine has to do what it can with what it has - seems like protecting is better than attacking (as in, keep your OFFENSIVE weapons for use against Russia 💪)
What kind of concrete exchange do you think would be most valuable for Ukraine right now, more air defense, financial support, or stronger security guarantees? 💙💛
Hi Anna - to my amateur mind something in the bank ($$$ or physical hardware) that can't be taken back or changed - otherwise security guarantees but an election in any country, or the whim of a leader, could upend any such. BEST help would be forcing Russia to withdraw, but unless/until Trump's pro-Russia regime is gone or defanged that is just a dream 🤷
I agree with the comment above from Linda. I am an American, a former Marine, and I love my country. But I have visceral hatred for what my country is doing right now in the Middle East. I am beyond hatred with regards to what it has not done on behalf of Ukraine. It makes me physically ill to watch what the elected leadership of the USA has done w/regards to failing to exercise any leadership, any humanity with regards to Ukraine. But I don’t see much in the way of real choice with how the Ukrainian government reacts to the realities the ‘most powerful’ military is facing in the Middle East. It sickens me inside that I feel the Ukrainian government must prove they have value to the US in tactics and methods to combat drone attacks. They likely have determined that perhaps the US will be, “grateful” to them for sharing what they have learned in four years of fighting the Russians as Russia tries to obliterate their country. They likely know that the US will say, ‘thanks!’, and then return to abandoning them in their battle. And that makes me sick inside as well. But they likely rationalize that their choice are limited. To Ukraine, I am grateful you would even consider helping the USA. You demonstrate your humanity while suffering the attempt to dehumanize you at every turn. From one human to another, I pray you find a way to trade your knowledge and skill for something to help your country survive. From a jaded citizen of the USA, I only expect the worst from my government. And I guess you probably do too.
Thank you for sharing such a raw and honest perspective. As a veteran, it’s clear how much it hurts to see the values you served to defend feel so absent in leadership right now. Your empathy for Ukraine is truly appreciated!
Do you think the 'leadership' you're looking for is even possible in today’s political climate?
Thanks Anna. The answer is, ‘not today ‘. But I believe things are changing rapidly in the US. WE are battling our own tyrannical regime right now. I believe that if (A Big IF !) we have reasonably free and fair elections this coming November, a significant change will occur. But the Trump Regime is evil, fully staffed with demented servants wishing to please their Orange God. It may get worse in the USA in the short term before things improve. Many now realize they have been lied to, that they have been fooled, that they elected a warped and evil misanthropic tyrant. I hope for my country - and the world -that it isn’t too late. But the damage being done in the US is real and reverberating around the globe.
Oh look, Ukraine does, in fact, have the cards; get something for them and make sure it’s binding because unfortunately, this administration can’t be trusted.
I am American and German. I currently live in Germany. The American in me does not want Ukraine helping the US help Russia to become even wealthier from their oil and then further bomb Ukraine. They must get something from the US for their help. Trump despises all of these European countries begging him to lower their tariffs and to help Ukraine. They need to be transactional with Trump that is the only thing he understands. Asking him to be nice is not making a deal in his mind.
The German in me does not want Merz begging Trump for anything, and not throwing PM Sanchez of Spain under the bus. It does not want Ukraine helping the US out even though they have a right to be against Iran because Iran has been sharing their Shaheeds and plans for making them with Russia.
Ukraine is teaching the US tech and the US is going to be using it against Ukraine in the end, because the way that Trump sees the world is that there is a club, and he is in it because he has the mighty US military, and the EU and Ukraine are not in the club. Neither is Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Canada, or Iran. Who is in the Club are the Emirates, Saudis, Qataris, Kuwaitis, Bahrain, Turkey, Israel, and Russia. This club looks the other way when their members do something illegal because they are not used to having consequences for their actions.
There is another club that does not include Trump but includes most of these other countries and China and North Korea.
Trump is attacking Iran not because he cares about the regime change, other than to get rid of the leadership, but it was just replaced by more of the same. He also is not targeting nuclear weapons. So, what is he doing there? Making himself rich. Why should Ukraine support this?
Also, I see your tracker of who is supporting them helping the US. I bet that is all Russian bots.
Thank you for your comment!! Do you think there’s any way for Ukraine to make a "deal" with this administration that actually guarantees their long-term security, or is it always going to be a temporary fix?
I tend to agree with my fellow subscribers here - Ukraine should take a steely eyed, transactional, more self-interested position in sharing their hard-won drone defense expertise and technology. Maybe a flat out exchange for additional weapons. Or a direct Ukrainian budget grant for economic/humanitarian aid.
After all, once Trump became President, US aid to Ukraine dropped to ZERO (the Biden Administration gave some $175 billion). US weapons continue to flow, but only after European allies have paid for them.
In your opinion, does Ukraine have enough leverage in this "drone-for-missiles" trade to actually force the U.S. back into a more supportive role?
It's a good question. Let's face it: President Trump does not "like" President Zelenskyy. So, I think there's a very delicate balance here: finding the right amount of steadfastness for Ukrainian interests without pissing off Trump ("Ukraine is ungrateful"). If incorrectly played, US support (such as it is) could actually get worse (e.g. refusal to even sell weapons).
It's probably a bit naive if me to think that Ukraine can sell its drone technology too hard vis-a-vis the US. Just another example of just how hard and tough President Zelenskyy's job is.....
This is just excellent reporting. The Ukrainian people continue to inspire.
Thank you for your kind words!
Missing in today's newsletter: "Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands." I trust this state of affairs is still accurate..
On the other matter, I am so angered at Trump's manifest illegal war in Iran that I would send him no--ZERO--help. Ukraine, a fledging democracy, needs the defense weapons and I'd rather let Iran burn. It costs $1B a day to fight the Iran war, a tenth of that amount seemed too much for US Congress to spend for an ally. I am ashamed for my country.
Thank you so much for pointing it out, Kyiv remains firmly in Ukrainian hands. Also,if the U.S. continues to prioritize this new war over Ukraine, do you think Europe will finally step up to fill that $175 billion gap on its own?
Ukrainian aid for antidrone defense against Iran is important leverage. It's cards--in trump's preferred terms. Ukraine has something it can trade for what it needs immediately for its own defense, while banking up "soft" credits to use later in diplomacy. There is also immediate and long-term economic opportunity in cementing defense materiel supply chains with the U.S. and other countries.
Russia has nothing trump or the Gulf states need or want. Ukraine can remind the world that it is a strong, reliable, and valuable ally on the international stage, as it did with the Grain from Ukraine initiative. It is an ally worth saving.
Ukraine has shown that it is not only a country asking for support, but also a country that can contribute to global security, especially through its experience with modern warfare like counter-drone defense. But how sustainable is this strategy for Ukraine in the long term while we are still fighting a war?
Yes, that's the key question, and only Ukraine can answer it. Survival certainly outweighs any advantages of leverage per se. The release of India from the U.S. sanctions against Russian oil imports is a pointed reminder that trump will always save himself first.
It’s very heart-warming to read a story about the valiant efforts of Ukrainian judges, including Supreme Court judges, to shoot down Russian shaheds.
Too many times I would read that Ukrainian Supreme Court Justices were part of the problem of persistent Ukrainian corruption. Too often one would read that the biggest obstacle to ridding Ukraine of corrupt oligarchs was that the judges themselves were corrupt and open to bribery which led to impunity for the plutocrats. They were part of the system it was alleged.
Reading this post makes me feel much better.
Thank you so much for your comment! Do you think such contribution to the war might accelerate trust and reform within Ukraine’s institutions, including the judiciary?
I sure hope so.
I'm sorry. Maybe I missed something. What does Ukraine get in return for this magnanimous gesture of help to the US and Israel in their ill-conceived war? Normally I would not be so cold-hearted, but Ukraine has been treated so horribly by the USA "leaders," I'm angry.
If Trump "promises" compensation of some sort for the help, GET IT IN WRITING AND ANY MONEY PROMISED UP FRONT.
What kind of concrete guarantees do you think Ukraine should ask for to make sure its support is fairly reciprocated?
Oh wow. Speaking as an American citizen, I do not trust this current administration as far as I could toss Donald Trump, which isn’t far! I would not make ANY “deal” with them currently, nor would I volunteer to help the US in any way if I were Ukraine—-especially because of the disrespectful treatment Ukraine has received from Washington, DC.
💙💛 I agree with others who have said that Ukraine IF they share counter-drone measures, should lock in something concrete in return. Absolutely the US (and Israel et al) would reverse engineer any tech supplied ASAP & not bother with buying it from Ukraine into the future. Play your cards Ukraine & get something valuable in the way of hardware or anti-Russian movement locked in, BEFORE handing anything over 💪💙💛 Much as I would be averse to "helping" with this Iran war, Ukraine has to do what it can with what it has - seems like protecting is better than attacking (as in, keep your OFFENSIVE weapons for use against Russia 💪)
What kind of concrete exchange do you think would be most valuable for Ukraine right now, more air defense, financial support, or stronger security guarantees? 💙💛
Hi Anna - to my amateur mind something in the bank ($$$ or physical hardware) that can't be taken back or changed - otherwise security guarantees but an election in any country, or the whim of a leader, could upend any such. BEST help would be forcing Russia to withdraw, but unless/until Trump's pro-Russia regime is gone or defanged that is just a dream 🤷