By Askold Lozynskyj
Whether you like it or not President elect Donald J. Trump will control all three branches of government. The people of America have spoken and done so resoundingly. This is not a good thing for any democracy, but it is reality.
The simplest, yet most unrealistic response would be to turn to Europe. With Germany’s political situation so broken and the Ukrainian community in Europe so inept, that would be a huge mistake. All avenues must remain available, pride must be swallowed, language must become more deferential.
I recall some ten years ago when Trump the businessman and potential but unlikely politician voiced to interviewer Bill O’Reilly the likelihood that he may run for president. O’Reilly essentially told Trump that that is not very realistic since American society generally does not take Trump seriously. Trump turned furious. In any event Trump does not deal with criticism or insults well. That leaves flattery and diplomacy.
Narcissism is a Trump flaw that should be addressed as both a negative and an avenue of approach to Trump. Putin is Trump’s friend according to Trump, but only insofar as both are of similar undemocratic persuasion and because long ago Trump was excited about the prospect of building a Trump Tower in downtown Moscow. Trump’s friendship generally terminates where his ego begins. The United States cannot negotiate a settlement of the war. It can only serve as a conduit. In order to continue American support for Ukraine and perhaps even more because the Biden-Harris support was inconclusive, President Trump must be led to believe that he is in control. That is very problematic because he can never be in control.
The United States of America has contributed heavily to Ukraine’s military support. Only Europe in the aggregate contributed more. The problems were delay, restrictions on types of weapons and their range of use. Clearly, the American position on refusing Ukraine NATO membership was a huge diminishing of any negotiating position that Ukraine may have possessed. In fact this item is probably Ukraine’s greatest need.
Some Trump strategists have suggested a twenty-year ceasefire, with a buffer under the control of Europe, perhaps through the United Nations, with Russia holding on to the 20% of Ukraine which it currently controls and Ukraine’s forbearance from NATO membership during that twenty year period with America continuing to supply arms to Ukraine. I am not sure what the last part actually means since there would be a ceasefire monitored by the UN. That formula would be an essential surrender by Ukraine which the Ukrainian side could never accept.
Trump is not a chess player. He does not think long term. However, it is important to include him in the negotiating game. Otherwise he will simply choose the side which to him appears most beneficial personally, meaning financially. That would be Putin. Trump should be invited to Ukraine, but he probably will not come. Nevertheless, the invitation will feed his ego.
There was a large contingent of Ukrainian Americans who supported Trump. They were made up predominantly of bigots, racists, white supremacists, misogynists, so called religious zealots. So called because that zealotry is mostly contrived. Trump understood that by making such outrageous comments that he was saved from assassination by God because he is a vessel for God. I expected lightning, but there was none. Unfortunately, even after victory, in terms of devising strategy on how to reach Trump on Ukraine, these Ukrainian Americans have been and will probably continue to be useless. Most are very primitive politically and many look out only for themselves, not caring much for Ukrainian issues.
Anecdotally, the situation in Ukraine is dire and people are distraught. Over the week, the Russians have increased their aggression not only in Donbas, but in Kherson, Zaporizhya, Odesa, Kharkiv and Kyiv with drones and missiles. In Europe, Putin’s and Trump’s friend Viktor Orban of Hungary is walking with a swagger and hosting European leaders in Budapest. President Biden has not expressed any new initiative.
The will of the American people was expressed quite resolutely. However, was this an example of democracy in action? Trump was elected essentially by a white non-college educated electorate. There were at least two prejudicial factors against Vice President Harris. Her skin color and gender were not helpful, even though they should have been. Democracy is greatly diminished when it is exercised by a poorly educated, race – and gender – biased electorate.
The reality of a democratic society is that it is very imperfect, but better than anything else. Within two days following the election, both the losing candidate and the sitting president from a party other than that of the victor conceded and promised a smooth transition. These facts were not lost on those who understand and appreciate democracy. I am not sure that President Trump’s supporters or even the President elect himself saw the irony between the 2020 and 2024 democratic transition processes.
“American exceptionalism” and “this is not who we are” are hollow phrases. America is not only not exceptional, as Americans like to consider themselves, but it has a long way to go, starting with the President elect. We are what the last election results show.
November 8, 2024