Yuri Vanetik shared insights into what might be on the minds of President Trump's team members.

Justum et tenacem propositi virum?

In the United States today, there are significant concerns regarding how the resistance of Ukraine against Russian aggression has been and is being financed, and the channels through which resources are directed. This is tied to allegations against the Biden administration and the Democrats. Based on this, it seems that Trump's team has decided to hold the current Ukrainian administration more accountable and to adopt a more critical stance towards it. At the same time, I believe this is also a step from the Trump administration that could help negotiate and end the war. Therefore, there are two factors at play here.

The first is accountability for the allocated funds. There’s a desire to find someone who should have prevented the war or could have stopped it earlier, and to indicate that the blame does not rest solely on Russia in this case. It appears that this is the position currently taken by our U.S. administration. I am not defending it personally; I am merely stating that this is the stance of this U.S. administration.

The second factor is that part of the blame for the war is also placed on the U.S. administration.

I want to emphasize that there are three key points in this situation. The first is to change the circumstances to end the conflict and find the "culprits" (abstractly speaking). The second is to assign responsibility for mistakes or inappropriate behavior. The third point is that the U.S. is interested in the legitimacy of the authorities in the countries America supports. Therefore, elections are important because they show whom the people truly want to see in power. The election factor also plays a role here. Sometimes, to close a conflict, it is simply necessary to change the people in power. Not necessarily because they are too guilty or have done something profoundly wrong (many can be criticized), but merely because new faces are needed.

Americans have been talking about elections in Ukraine for a long time. Due to the war, there were delays, but now this will be emphasized and is already being done. The legitimacy of power is important for the U.S. When the legitimacy of the administration of a particular country is confirmed, it only strengthens that authority.

Regarding the reactions to Trump, to his statements and actions, our president is a classic example of how these reactions work. The more Democrats attacked Trump, the stronger he became. They created his strength themselves. It’s like in winemaking: when grapevines are under stress, they produce better juice and grow better. In sports, tension also stimulates muscles, making a person stronger and more resilient. These factors are universal; they apply to politicians as well.

For Ukraine, it is crucial to maintain a balance in relations with the U.S.: on one hand, not to be completely submissive, and on the other, to find opportunities for cooperation, be effective, and not take everything personally. Elections only confirm the legitimacy of a particular authority, eliminating doubts that may arise not only in Russia but also in Europe concerning Ukraine.

If elections are held in Ukraine and the current president Zelensky is re-elected, the question of his legitimacy disappears automatically. If he is not re-elected, that is also normal, as any election serves as a confirmation of the result, whatever it may be. This is one of the fundamental principles of democracy.

A lot depends on how the issue of the war will be resolved. It is important to integrate into the negotiation process in a timely manner, establish the right ideology and positions, and avoid unnecessary conflicts. If this is not done, Ukraine may find itself in a situation where it participates less in negotiations than it should. The situation is, of course, highly dependent on America, Europe, and Russia, with which the conflict continues. Therefore, it is crucial to act wisely, demonstrate responsibility, and avoid personal conflicts.

I am confident that it is important for Ukraine to assemble the right team of negotiators. This should not be one person, but a small group of experienced individuals. It is necessary to identify who will officially represent Ukraine's interests, possibly involving experienced consultants, statesmen, and diplomats. This is a very important point. Otherwise, the conflict may only escalate.