Trump besmirches Ukraine again
The New York Times reported that “Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday called on Ukraine to accept an American peace proposal that closely aligns with longstanding Russian goals, including a ‘freeze’ of territorial lines in the three-year war, acceptance of the annexation of Crimea by Russia and a prohibition on Ukraine becoming part of the NATO alliance.” It was the first time a U.S. official has publicly laid out a plan to end the war that favors Russia in such stark terms, the Times noted.
President Trump then criticized Zelenskyy for reaffirming Ukraine’s refusal to recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea. Trump labeled Zelenskyy’s statements as “inflammatory” and asserted that such remarks hinder peace negotiations with Russia. He emphasized that Crimea was lost years ago under President Barack Obama and is “not even a point of discussion.” Trump questioned why Ukraine did not resist the annexation when it occurred in 2014, stating, “If he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired”?
The rhetorical question posed by Trump— “Why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?”—cynically and ignorantly oversimplifies the complex and challenging circumstances surrounding Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In February 2014, amidst political upheaval in Ukraine following the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, Russian forces swiftly and covertly moved into Crimea. These troops, often referred to as “little green men” due to their unmarked uniforms, seized key strategic locations, including airports and government buildings, effectively taking control of the peninsula.
The Ukrainian military, at that time, was in a state of disarray. The sudden change in government led to a power vacuum, and the military was neither adequately prepared nor positioned to mount an effective resistance. Many Ukrainian forces stationed in Crimea were isolated, lacked clear directives, and faced an overwhelming Russian military presence. Engaging in open conflict risked significant casualties and potential escalation into a broader war.
While the annexation is often described as occurring “without a shot being fired,” this characterization is not entirely accurate. There were instances of violence, including the death of a Ukrainian soldier during the storming of a military base in Simferopol.
Moreover, Ukrainian forces, such as those led by Colonel Yuliy Mamchur, displayed acts of defiance and resistance, albeit limited by their constrained circumstances.
Therefore, the assertion that Ukraine did not “fight” for Crimea neglects the geopolitical realities and the strategic decisions made to avoid a potentially devastating conflict. The situation was not a simple matter of choice but a complex interplay of military readiness, political instability, and the desire to prevent further bloodshed.
As usual, Trump either lies, misunderstands, displays historical ignorance, or talks nonsense – or all of the above.
