Written By David Gomez
My younger sister has been studying at a high school in London for a couple of years now. Despite the challenges of leaving her home in our country of origin and her comfort zone, she has thrived and quickly learnt the language. The fact that I am also here has made her migration process much more friendly. Unfortunately, not all young immigrants, especially minors, have this advantage.
My sister has a very good Ukrainian friend at her school. He is one year younger than her, meaning he is 16 years old. He arrived in Canada in 2023, fleeing the dreadful war in his country. He came to London alone, without any family, with no other intention but to save himself. His parents chose this path and sent him to a Canadian host family. His father and older brother are still fighting on the front lines, defending their nation, their honour, and their people against the interventionist and invading desires of Putin’s government.
Stories of resilience like this are common in many Ukrainian communities across different towns and cities in the country. Canada, as it has historically done, has defended the values of freedom, national sovereignty and democracy of the Ukrainian people. Canada’s support for Ukraine is notable, as has been the support of several European countries during these three years of war.
It is for this reason that hearing the statements made by President Donald Trump regarding the situation in Ukraine is simply disheartening. The disconnect between reality and Trump’s rhetoric is not only wildly inaccurate, but also a mockery and an embarrassment to democracy and freedom in Europe and around the world. Trump’s apparent alignment with Putin’s regime is repugnant.
President Trump has made a number of, at best, controversial and at worst, outright false and misleading statements about Ukraine and its President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Firstly, it’s essential to remember that Russia attacked Ukraine in 2014, with a full-scale invasion following in February 2022. This invasion was unprovoked and widely condemned by international organizations and countries as an act of aggression. In the lead-up to Russia’s invasion, President Zelensky repeatedly offered to meet with Vladimir Putin, and just five days before Russian troops advanced, he made an impassioned plea at the Munich Security Conference for dialogue.
Contrary to Trump’s assertions that Ukraine’s leaders could have ‘ended it’ or ‘never started it,’ these comments ignore the reality of Ukraine’s position as the victim of aggression. They also distort the proactive efforts by Zelensky and his administration to seek peaceful solutions.
Trump’s portrayal of a Ukraine under martial law, led by a leader with a purportedly low approval rating, is also misleading. A poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in February found that 57% of Ukrainians trusted Zelensky, indicating a robust support base despite the ongoing conflict. This support shows the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people, contrary to Trump’s narrative.
Regarding financial aid, Trump’s claim that Ukraine has mishandled vast sums of money from the U.S. is unfounded. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany, the financial support figures from the U.S. and EU tell a different story. The EU and its member states have collectively outpaced the U.S. in financial contributions, debunking Trump’s exaggerated claims.
Donald Trump’s statements serve only to undermine the legitimate struggle of the Ukrainian people and their leaders. They also tarnish the broader efforts of the international community, including Canada, to support Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and democracy. His remarks reflect a disturbing alignment with Russian propaganda, which only serves to insult and undermine the efforts and sacrifices of those fighting for their country’s future.
