President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine is pulling out all the stops this week, actively campaigning for stronger air defense support from allied nations at a meeting in Germany. Coincidentally, this meeting aligns with the impending inauguration of Donald Trump, who has boldly claimed he could wrap up Ukraine’s conflict quicker than a hot shot in a high-stakes poker game. While Trump gets ready to take office, Zelenskyy is left doing the diplomatic equivalent of throwing spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks.
At this week’s gathering at Ramstein Air Base, Zelenskyy will hobnob with representatives from partner countries, collectively known as the Ramstein group. The mission? To convince his allies to cough up more defensive capabilities against Russia’s air assaults, specifically against missiles and guided bombs. Apparently, a little more than wishful thinking is needed when enemies are sending drones and guided bombs your way like they’re sending holiday gifts.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin will attend this soirée of military maybes. However, it’s hard to ignore the irony that Biden was supposed to be the star of the previous summit but had to cancel due to Hurricane Milton. Can’t help but wonder if Biden’s absence will be felt like that of a ghost at a party, leaving everyone wondering what could have been if the previous administration had better coordination.
With Trump about to take the reins, Zelenskyy’s rhetoric has turned quite colorful. He refers to Trump as “strong and unpredictable,” a tag that seems to evoke both awe and fear. It’s hard to say whether Trump’s unpredictability is a boon or a bane for Ukraine, especially considering that the U.S. has been its most vocal backer. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is scrambling to send military aid like it’s a last-minute holiday shopping spree before the upcoming Trump-cation.
On the ground in Ukraine, the news isn’t much better. Russian forces currently control about 20% of the country, and their advancements are making headlines like a blockbuster movie trailer—full of action but lacking in good news for Ukraine. Zelenskyy has reported considerable losses for North Korean troops allied with Russia, but whether that will shift the tide remains to be seen. Reports indicate Ukraine might have lost approximately 40% of its initially gained territory since the war began. It’s like getting a promotion and getting demoted back all in one day; not exactly a confidence boost for Ukraine.
To my knowledge, American taxpayers are still waiting on an audit of where the hell all our money is going?
Obviously, Biden must feel guilty over starting this carnage because of Afghanistan! 😳
I never want to hear another peep out of Zelensky or Joe.https://t.co/2siGUDazd9
— Daniel F. Baranowski (@DFBHarvard) January 5, 2025
The bad news doesn’t stop there. Russian drone attacks continue to inflict damage in Ukrainian towns, and their defense capabilities will need a miracle to fend off future assaults. Despite Ukrainian forces destroying a significant number of drones, Russia’s bombardment seems relentless. It’s almost as if they’re conducting a science experiment on how far they can push their enemies before they break.
As leaders meet in Germany, one can’t help but question whether Zelenskyy’s efforts will be met with the same enthusiasm he’s used to. The world watches, and unlike a deer in the headlights, it’s clear that Ukraine may soon realize that warm wishes and flying colors are only as good as the defenses backing them up.