Editorial: Ukraine, a pawn in geopolitical chessboard

‘Might is right’ appears to be the principle that is dictating the fate of Ukraine

As the world watches helplessly the completion of three years of the Russia-Ukraine war, the bloodiest in Europe since World War II, the situation has moved beyond the military conflict as Ukraine has now been reduced to a pawn in the geopolitical chessboard. The big powers are making moves to gain strategic advantage at the cost of the continued misery that the pointless war has inflicted on people. There are no winners in this war that has left a trail of death and destruction. Ukraine is devastated while Russia has certainly weakened. Europe, on the other hand, is fragmented and the US is frustrated. Though it began as essentially a European conflict, the impact is not confined to Europe anymore. Global energy, food and financial linkages have been impacted. A sense of fatigue has set in now. It is clear that the people in both Russia and Ukraine do not want the war to continue. Whatever the geopolitical reasons, war invariably brings misery to the people on either side of the battle zone. What is ironic is that Ukraine, which was once hailed for its heroic and brave resistance in the face of Russian invasion, has been left out of the peace talks being spearheaded by the United States and Russia. The aggressor — Russia — is a key player in the negotiations while the victim— Ukraine — is made to watch the proceedings from the sidelines. ‘Might is right’ appears to be the principle that is dictating the fate of Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump has, in his second term, completely reversed his country’s policy by blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for ‘starting the war’ and dubbing him as a ‘dictator without elections’, while shielding Russian President Vladimir Putin. Europe, which initially backed Ukraine both militarily and morally, is now increasingly divided. The United States, which provided military assistance and mobilised global backing, has shifted its stance following the return of Republicans to power. Zelenskyy, once celebrated as a hero, is now being vilified by the Trump administration as a squanderer of American largesse. In the changing global equations, Russia, which long condemned America as the primary instigator of the conflict, is now eager to negotiate a deal with Washington. On his part, Trump has turned a humanitarian crisis into a transactional advantage, like his earlier ludicrous ideas to buy Greenland or control the Panama Canal or Gaza or even Canada. The Trump administration’s latest demand that Ukraine grant the US access to its critical minerals in exchange for aid marks a major shift in Washington’s approach to the war. By treating the conflict as a transactional issue rather than a strategic battle against Russian aggression, Trump is signalling that his priority is not Ukraine’s sovereignty but a swift resolution that aligns with his broader vision of reducing US entanglements abroad.

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