A Ukrainian journalist shares with Postindustrial the unrelenting conviction of her country to continue defending their nation against Russia’s deadly and unprovoked war.
What Trump did in the Oval Office is not for me to judge.
I’m not an American, and I didn’t elect the U.S. president.
But I know what my president, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, did. He defended our values, our country, and our people.
He defended us.
I won’t go into details – you already know what was said, what questions were asked, and the tone in which they were delivered.
But I will say this: none of the men and women who fought for Ukraine, who lost their comrades, their homes, their families, and a part of themselves, would accept such a tone or agree to these so-called “peace” conditions.
Our president represented us. And I want to share the thoughts of my fellow Ukrainians, so you can better understand: “What did we feel?”
“This morning, Ukrainians read about a mother who lost her second son to war; her first [son] died in 2022. Such news has become our daily reality. While we mourn our dead, we watch America’s leadership humiliate Ukraine through our president, treating him as a subordinate rather than an equal partner.”
– Mariam Naiem
“For centuries, Ukrainians have endured gaslighting, abuse, and bullying. That era is finally over.”
– Maksym Eristavi
“True strength is protecting the weak from injustice, not joining those who beat the one who is already down.”
– Nariman Aliev
One of the criticisms directed at our president was, “You have problems in your country.”
Yes, we do. Like any other nation, we are not flawless.
But we Ukrainians will address our own problems. We will hold our leaders accountable and handle our challenges ourselves. Instead of scolding and humiliating the leader who represents us, help us with the biggest problem: Russia’s aggression, which has been ongoing for 11 years.
Peace has its own terms. Its own price. And we know that price better than anyone. But we don’t want a peace that exists only on paper, one that serves only to let someone say, “I ended this war,” to satisfy their ego or ambitions.
Because the point isn’t just about “ending” this; it’s about bringing our people home from captivity. It’s about our soldiers returning home.
It’s about knowing there is no frontline anymore—only a border. It’s about sleeping without waking up to explosions because Russia has once again decided to violate a ceasefire.
It’s about guaranteeing that if God forbid this happens again, there will be consequences for the aggressor, not just endless talks and empty promises.
For three years, we have stood not for a humiliating, temporary truce but for our values.
At the end of the day, there is no certainty about whether the American government will continue to support us or whether we will be cut off from the weapons and air defense systems needed to protect our cities.
But there is the conviction that no matter what, we will defend our land. Everything we have endured, all our efforts and sacrifices, is not in vain.
And that justice will be served.
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