In recent statements, former U.S. President Donald Trump has made a series of claims about Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Many of these echo populist far-right narratives that paint Ukraine as the aggressor in its war with Russia, label President Zelensky a “dictator,” or allege that Ukrainians are living under an oppressive regime without elections. These claims have sparked controversy, especially as they closely align with Russian propaganda lines. Below is a comprehensive examination of those assertions, the realities on the ground, and a broader historical comparison—particularly to Britain’s experience during World War II—that helps put Ukraine’s current situation into clearer perspective.

Imagine you’re in a schoolyard. There’s a bully demanding part of your lunch every day. You think, “If I just give him half my sandwich, maybe he’ll leave me alone.” So you hand over the sandwich. The bully takes it—then the next day demands your drink as well. That’s how bullying works: once you show weakness, it rarely ends; it just invites more demands.

A New Epoch for European Security: Navigating America’s Step Back and the Road Ahead

NATO, the cornerstone of transatlantic security, stands at a crossroads. The world has been jolted by a chilling return of great power rivalry, culminating in the brutal war in Europe. The comfortable notion of an enduring peace has evaporated, replaced by a rapidly shifting threat landscape that demands a reassessment of the alliance's very purpose. As tensions mount, the debate surrounding NATO's military spending has become a flashpoint, exposing deeper anxieties about the alliance's future and its capacity to navigate a dangerously multipolar world.

The war in Ukraine has shaken Europe to its core. For years, the European Union (EU) and its member states have prioritized economic cooperation, energy integration, and peaceful diplomacy. Yet the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought all those assumptions into question—almost overnight. In response, Europe has had to rethink its security, ramp up its diplomatic efforts, and radically transform its energy strategies. Below is an engaging overview of how Europe is changing in real-time, along with resources for further reading.