By Asiimwe Angel
President Trump’s shaking up Washington’s foreign policy scene, and by February 24, 2025, his handling of Ukraine is a masterclass in putting America first. He’s openly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for overplaying a weak hand, while touting “productive talks” with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Trump’s pitching a bold deal: swap U.S. aid for access to Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth think $500 billion in lithium and titanium to turn a costly war into a profit for American taxpayers. His envoy Keith Kellogg’s been smoothing feathers in Kyiv, while National Security Adviser Mike Waltz keeps the press guessing. European leaders like France’s Macron and the UK’s Starmer are jetting to D.C. this week, desperate for clarity, but Trump’s focused on a deal that benefits the U.S., not Europe’s war chest.
The buzz around Capitol Hill is electric, Trump’s rewriting the rules, and it’s a sight to see. He’s long blasted the Ukraine conflict as a money pit, and now he’s flipping it into an opportunity. Those minerals could power American industries electric vehicles, tech, you name it and Trump’s not shy about cashing in. A mining expert I chatted with called it “a game-changer” for domestic production. Putin’s playing along, likely thrilled to see Zelenskyy sidelined, while Trump’s team pitches this as smarter than Biden’s endless aid checks. European allies are antsy, meetings this week will test their nerves but Trump’s betting Americans care more about their own bottom line than Kyiv’s borders. It’s a dealmaker’s gambit, and he’s owning it.
By late February, Trump’s strategy is taking shape, and it’s brilliant. Zelenskyy’s on the defensive, Trump’s X posts calling him “all talk” are hitting hard while Kellogg’s charm offensive keeps Ukraine in line just enough. The mineral deal’s gaining traction; whispers in Congress suggest a bill tying aid to resource rights could fly soon. Europe’s leaders are rattled, Macron’s visit smells like a plea but Trump’s base sees a win: why fight a war when you can profit from peace? Critics grumble about abandoning allies, but Trump’s framing it as tough love, nations should stand on their own feet. It’s a stark contrast to the old D.C. playbook, and his supporters can’t get enough of the shake-up.
This is Trump at his sharpest turning a headache into a jackpot for America. He’s outsmarting Ukraine, cozying up to Russia just enough, and leaving Europe to fend for itself. I’d bet we’ll see a handshake soon, maybe Putin and Trump sealing it, with Zelenskyy forced to sign on. The doubters can whine, but this is what victory looks like: American interests first, not some global charity case. Washington’s a stage, and Trump’s the star rewriting Ukraine’s story to put the U.S. on top.
