By Askold Lozynskyj
When Russia’s full scale aggression into Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, much of the world stood by anticipating a disastrous albeit brief conclusion. Russia attacked from many sides including from Belarus directed at Kyiv itself. That part of the invasion was thwarted because of the heroics of Ukrainian forces less than one hundred miles from Kyiv in Mezhyhirya. A Russian tank did reach the City of Kyiv where it was destroyed. The Russian air attack was stymied and the caravan of tanks was stalled. The latter became easy targets for Ukrainian artillery, American Javelins in particular, as they were mired in the early Spring mud.
In fact most military experts predicted Russian overwhelming superiority in the air and on the sea. Ukraine had no fighter jets or drones to speak of. The jets it had were antiquated Soviet models and the drones had been acquired from Turkey. Those Turkish Bakhtiyar drones proved to be very effective. But on the Black Sea Ukrainian vessels were captive in the ports of Crimea under Russian occupation.
To date precisely in those two areas in the air and on the sea Ukrainians have proven to be exceptional.
Since 2022 Ukrainian-made drones in the air and on the sea have enabled Ukraine to survive. Russia is limited now to the eastern portion of the Black Sea and ground incursions in four regions of eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian water drones have inflicted major damage on the Russian fleet. Ukrainian-made air drones and missiles have reached as far into Russian territory as the City of Kazan in Tatarstan and Moscow itself. Each is more than 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian line.
Russian missiles and drones continue to attack power grids and civilian sites throughout Ukraine, killing innocent men, women and children, targeting hospitals and maternity wards, but there is little danger that any of these locations will any time soon be invaded by the aggressors.
Ironically Ukrainian exceptionalism in courage and particularly drone manufacture wherewithal has been spurred by American disingenuity and dilatory tactics even under President Biden. The first F-16s arrived in Ukraine in mid 2014, during the third year of the war and not from the United States but from its allies. Under Trump that support has been practically non-existent.
There are only five American defensive Patriot missile systems in Ukraine. These systems are the most effective defensive systems in Ukraine, but the five are very few. There are twelve such systems sitting idly at a NATO base in the Polish city of Rzezow. There may be more. I myself saw the twelve. Their transfer to Ukraine is not imminent even though they have been earmarked for Ukraine for almost one year.
So what’s the point? The lack of American exceptionalism in aiding Ukraine has spurred Ukrainian exceptionalism so that today about 60% of all weapons used by the Ukrainian forces
are produced by Ukraine itself. Today Europe is supplying almost 70% of all aid to Ukraine. No one can be certain of what is supplied by America.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky, during his ambush in the oval office, profusely thanked the United States for its support. Nevertheless, both ungracious hosts Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful and disrespectful. All of Europe sided with Zelensky. Theories have abounded about Trump’s alliance, agency and even familial relations with Putin.
Ukraine has accepted the terms of an American mediated ceasefire. Russia has declined. Trump has threatened new sanctions against Russian oil by imposing an additional tariff on those countries that continue to buy Russian oil, including banning their imports. Frankly, I don’t know what that means since Trump has threatened tariffs on every country friend and foe alike. In the case of China, I doubt that there will no longer be Chinese products in the United States. What will happen to Ivanka’s licenses and trademarks in China?
American exceptionalism has always been a myth. Under Trump it has proven to be a brazen lie. Resistance has come and will continue to grow and not only at the ballot box. The irony is that in the midst of all that is happening including a recession in the American economy, Trump is “threatening” a third term. There are checks provided in the Constitution. Trump is also 78 years old. Perhaps the best check will come from the Almighty. We can only pray.
April 2, 2025