Ukraine stands at the centre of what critics call America’s biggest betrayal — and Europe is reeling. As Russia’s full-scale invasion grinds into its fifth bloody year this Tuesday, anger is boiling over at Washington’s failure to fully defend Kyiv against Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

From this side of the Atlantic, the shock cuts deep. The pain is not just about battlefield losses. It is about trust shattered.

Critics point to what they describe as subservience to Putin, an indicted war criminal. They accuse Washington of victim-blaming Ukraine and pressuring it into concessions.

Donald Trump’s attempts to broker a peace deal have drawn fierce fire. His 28-point “peace plan” has been branded a lopsided roadmap to Russian victory.

Direct US weapons supplies to Ukraine have dropped to almost zero. Civilian casualties last year reached their highest annual level since the war began.

Trump, who once pledged to end the war in 24 hours, is still insisting Kyiv surrender sovereign territory. He has withheld security guarantees.

He is also pursuing post-war mineral deals and potential business with Russia. Critics say he continues to bully Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while courting leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, Argentina’s Javier Milei and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu.

The backlash in Europe is fierce. Wolfgang Ischinger, chair of this month’s Munich Security Conference, warns the war’s outcome is “an existential question for Europe.”

He says it will determine “the future of this continent.” That alarm is spreading fast.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Munich, attacked globalisation, “climate cults” and multiculturalism. He called for ultranationalism, protectionism and closed borders.

Critics say such rhetoric ignores Russian aggression and fuels global autocrats. They argue US global influence is fading, to China’s advantage.

The sense of betrayal, they say, did not begin with Trump. Bill Clinton’s 1994 security assurances to Kyiv failed to deter future aggression.

Barack Obama did not stop Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014. Joe Biden, critics argue, responded cautiously to the 2022 invasion.

But opponents claim Trump’s actions are deliberate and immediate. Each day, they argue, deepens the rupture with Europe.

More than 80 UN member states, along with the EU and Arab League, have condemned unilateral Israeli measures elsewhere, but here in Ukraine the focus is on Washington’s stance.

Talk is growing of a European “coalition of the willing” to defend Kyiv and unoccupied cities. Proposals include enforcing a no-fly zone, surging defensive weapons and seizing Russian assets.

Some call for stepped-up cyber operations and stronger sanctions. They argue Europe must lead ceasefire talks and demand phased Russian withdrawals.

The alternatives, critics warn, are grim: endless war, endless killing, or a peace on Trump-Putin terms.

Europe is on notice. Trust in the US is fraying.

As Ukraine fights on, exhausted but undefeated, the question hangs heavy: will Europe unite and act — or watch history turn against it?

Key Takeaways

• Critics say US support for Ukraine has collapsed as weapons supplies drop and pressure on Kyiv grows.

• European leaders warn the war’s outcome is an “existential” test for the continent’s future.

• Calls are mounting for Europe to take military and diplomatic control if Washington steps back.

Ukraine is the biggest and most consequential of all the American betrayals

Every country should look after it's own citizens, not worry about what foreigners in far away places so to each other.

But I thought Ukraine was winning the war ? Russia a paper tiger on the brink of collapse ?

7 years ago German leaders were openly laughing at Trump when he warned them of the consequences of relying on Russia for energy. Ho ho ho silly orange man.

"Germans laugh after Trump warns of reliance on foreign oil"

https://www.c-span.org/clip/white-house-event/germans-laugh-after-trump-warns-of-reliance-on-foreign-oil/5029974

Ffwd to .50 to see the pathetic European cowards laughing at Trumps truthbombs. Any forum wokie want to remind us what this all led to? And now who do they blame for their stupidity? Why Trump of course🤣😂

12 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

"Germans laugh after Trump warns of reliance on foreign oil"

And then 'someone' blew up the Nordstream gas pipeline and Europe has to buy expensive LPG from whom I wonder ?

Even more wondrous is that the Europeans (Germany) made no complaint about an attack on their national interest at all.

Trump, bereft of any morals, only thinking about 'deals' to be struck with the mass murderer Putin.

He couldn't stop the war in 24 hours as he boasted, he can't stop it now because he's beholden to Putin

What an utter disgrace the man is