Their followers saw those who called out the truth as hateful, shortsighted, or even enemies of the state. That pattern has repeated itself throughout history, and today, Trump supporters find themselves in familiar company.

It’s always fascinating to watch people twist narratives and turn logic on its head.

We were here when Putin gave incoherent justifications for invading Ukraine. Ukraine did not invade Russia. Ukraine did not attempt to invade Russia. If anything, Ukraine sought NATO membership precisely to protect itself from a Russian invasion.

Something that had been a looming threat long before 2014, when Russia first seized Ukrainian territory.(Not because they were being used by the West to threatened Russia. After all, several other countries bordering Russia have sought NATO membership for same protection).

Some argue that NATO expansion was the root cause of this war, but that claim ignores history. Russia has invaded non-NATO countries before. Moldova in 1992, Georgia in 2008, and Ukraine in 2014. NATO was not the issue then, and it is likely not the core issue now. If Ukraine had renounced NATO membership years ago, there is little evidence to suggest that Russia would not have invaded anyway. Russia’s actions suggest a broader goal of territorial expansion, and desire to influence the politics within that territory not just stopping NATO.

Now, some claim that Zelenskyy “started” a war he cannot win and is merely sending his people to die. But was it Putin’s plan to drag this war out for years, bleeding Russia of men and resources? This war has been costly for both sides, yet strangely, Trump supporters don’t mock Putin for his miscalculations, only Zelenskyy for refusing to surrender.

So I ask: What was Zelenskyy supposed to do when Russia invaded? Run away, as Biden initially suggested?

Speaking of Biden, those who insist Zelenskyy is a mere puppet, dragged into war by the U.S. Conveniently forget that when the invasion began, analysts predicted Ukraine would fall in days. Biden even offered Zelenskyy asylum in the U.S, expecting a quick Russian victory. Zelenskyy famously replied: “I need weapons, not a taxi.”

The decision to resist Russian aggression was that of the Ukrainian people. NATO simply backed their resolve. For years, Zelenskyy has fought to defend his homeland.

Now, if U.S. taxpayers no longer want to fund Ukraine’s defense, that’s a fair argument. They can say, “Enough. We won’t pay anymore. Surrender to Putin or be destroyed. It’s not our problem, we have a big ocean seperating us and we have our own problems.” That’s an honest stance.

What’s not fair is mocking a man fighting for his country’s survival, making him out to be the aggressor. If Zelenskyy stops fighting today, the war ends, but so does Ukraine as an independent and sovereign country. Whatever remains of it would exist as an extension of Russia, just another Belarus.

If Russia stops fighting, the war truly ends. There is no threat to Russia.

Russia already occupies 20% of Ukraine. Trump claims he wants peace, yet he also wants to reward a foreign invader with stolen land. If that becomes the precedent, what stops Russia from regrouping and invading again? We would be right back where we started, just like before.

If Russia’s only concern was NATO, the war would have ended long ago. A simple agreement barring Ukraine from NATO, paired with a guarantee that Russia would never invade, should have been enough. After all, Trump has made it clear: Ukraine is not welcome in NATO.

Yet, Russia fights on, suggesting more sinister motives. Ukraine, despite being outgunned and outnumbered, is still defending itself. If offering support is too much, at least acknowledge their resilience, not mock it.

What Trump did to Zelenskyy yesterday, gaslighting and bullying him, was one of the most disgraceful scenes I’ve ever witnessed. I assure you, not even Putin would treat Zelenskyy that way if they met face to face and I say this, despite Putin repeatedly attempting to assassinate Zelenskyy.

No matter how this war ends, (without American support that would be soon) history will remember that Ukraine fought for its survival while Russia fought for conquest. If people cannot support that fight, they should at least have the honesty to say so, rather than twisting reality to make Ukraine the villain.

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