US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska has dealt a crushing blow to Western values, revealing that aggression and force are being rewarded rather than punished. The proposed ceasefire deal, which will grant Russia control over significant territories occupied since 2014, marks a colossal victory for the Kremlin.
The West’s backing of Ukraine was never about supporting Zelensky or his government; it was about upholding the principles of international order established after World War II. These ideals were enshrined in the Atlantic Charter and have shaped the UN Charter and Nato alliance ever since. However, Trump’s deference to Putin has led him down a path that undermines these very principles.
The West’s support for Ukraine was not about finding a “nice guy” in Zelensky, but rather about defending territorial integrity and national sovereignty. This stance is being undermined by the notion that backing Ukraine is solely based on who occupies the presidency or what kind of government it has.
Trump’s betrayal of Ukraine is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader trend of making the West weaker. His actions have emboldened Putin, who now sees that aggression can be rewarded with concessions from Western powers. This is a recipe for disaster, and one that will take decades to repair.
The implications of this deal are far-reaching, and they will send a chilling message to dictators around the world: if you use force to achieve your goals, you will be granted territory and concessions without facing consequences. The old order has indeed passed, and in its place is a darker, more menacing era.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/09/trump-betrayed-ukraine-world-immeasurably-more-dangerous