Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington last week with high hopes. He was expecting tough conversations, yes, but also the reinforcement of an alliance that has been critical to Ukraine’s survival. The centerpiece of his visit was supposed to be a minerals deal—one that would give the U.S. a tangible economic stake in Ukraine’s future. If he had his way, the trip would have ended with a strengthened partnership and perhaps even a clearer path toward long-term security.

Instead, things went off the rails. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly scolded Zelenskyy, pressing him to show more gratitude for American aid and urging him to work harder for peace—despite the fact that Russia has shown no interest in negotiating in good faith. The visit ended abruptly, the minerals deal was left unsigned, and Zelenskyy was sent away with a dismissive message: “Come back when you’re ready for peace.”

Some will argue that Trump was just applying his signature negotiation style—playing hardball, keeping allies on edge, and making sure America gets the best deal. But this wasn’t a business transaction. It was a meeting with a wartime leader whose country has been invaded by a hostile superpower. And while it’s fair to expect allies to be grateful, it’s also important to remember that Ukraine isn’t a beggar at the table—it’s a nation fighting for its existence.

Ukraine’s Fight Is About Survival, Not Dictating U.S. Policy

Let’s be clear: Ukraine is not trying to dictate U.S. policy. It is simply trying to survive. This isn’t about Zelenskyy demanding endless American support or NATO membership at all costs. It’s about a sovereign nation that was invaded, whose people have been bombed, displaced, and massacred. Ukrainians are not asking Americans to fight their war for them; they’re asking for the ability to defend themselves.

Yet, some voices on the right—many of whom once prided themselves on standing against tyranny—are now echoing Kremlin propaganda. Instead of recognizing Putin as the aggressor, they paint Zelenskyy as an entitled nuisance. Instead of standing against an authoritarian regime that jails opponents, poisons critics, and silences dissent, they suggest that the U.S. has no real stake in this fight.

As David French pointed out, some conservatives are openly supporting “one of the world’s most dangerous and oppressive regimes.” This is baffling. Conservatives used to believe in moral clarity. We used to understand the difference between an imperfect democracy fighting for its life and a dictatorship bent on conquest. Have we really forgotten the lessons of the Cold War so quickly?

Ukraine Is a Strategic Interest—Just Like Europe Was in WWII

Some on the right, like David Strom, claim that Ukraine doesn’t matter to U.S. interests. That’s shortsighted. The same could have been said about Poland or France in the 1930s. Ukraine may not be a NATO country, but history teaches us that when you let dictators expand unchecked, they don’t stop.

If Ukraine falls, what’s next? Moldova? The Baltics? Poland? Putin has already made it clear that he sees Ukraine as just the beginning. He has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as the “greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the 20th century, and his actions suggest that he intends to correct what he sees as a historic mistake.

Even if we ignore the moral argument, the fate of Ukraine affects the balance of power in Europe, the strength of NATO, and even global energy security. Letting Putin win would embolden every other dictator on the planet—from Beijing to Tehran. The U.S. cannot afford to signal weakness.

Europe and the U.S. Shouldn’t Be Paying for This War—Russia Should

One argument that the America First crowd gets right is that American taxpayers shouldn’t be endlessly funding this war. But here’s the solution that Trump and Vance conveniently ignore—frozen Russian assets should pay for Ukraine’s defense.

Russia has over $300 billion in assets frozen by Western governments. That money should be used to rebuild Ukraine and fund its military. Why is this even a debate? Why should American taxpayers foot the bill when Putin’s stolen money is just sitting there?

If Trump really wanted to be a dealmaker, he’d be pushing for that, not humiliating an ally who’s just trying to keep his country from being erased.

Zelenskyy’s Real Offense? Wanting His Country Back

The National Review editors got it right: Zelenskyy’s “fundamental offense” is that he wants Ukraine to regain its sovereign territory. That’s it. He refuses to accept the idea that Russia has a right to permanently occupy and destroy parts of his country. And for that, he gets labeled “ungrateful.”

Imagine if America had been invaded and our cities bombed—would we be expected to negotiate with the invaders while they still held our land? Would we be considered unreasonable for refusing to surrender?

Zelenskyy isn’t the problem here. Putin is.

America’s Dangerous New Reputation: A Fair-Weather Friend

There’s something even more dangerous than Trump’s personal affinity for Putin: the message this sends to the world.

As David French pointed out, our allies just learned a chilling lesson—America can, and will, change sides. We are no longer a stable partner. We might fight with you today, but tomorrow, we might throw you under the bus if our leaders decide your struggle is inconvenient.

For decades, the U.S. has been the linchpin of the free world. That’s why small nations stood with us, why allies trusted us, and why dictators feared us. But if Trump’s performance with Zelenskyy is a preview of what’s to come, America is about to become something much worse: unreliable.

And an unreliable America is a weak America.

Final Thought: We’re Being Played

At the end of the day, conservatives—real conservatives—ought to be able to see what’s happening. Russia wants to divide and demoralize the West. It wants the U.S. to abandon its allies. It wants us confused, bitter, and unwilling to resist.

And unfortunately, it looks like they’re succeeding.