When an ally retreats, you must learn to win without their permission.
American politics is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Trump criticizes Ukraine again. Troubling reports are coming in about Patriot missiles and limitations on satellite support.
But the most interesting thing in the morning news is not that.
Ukrainian drones are striking Russian oil refineries again. Moscow airports are halted due to massive attacks.
And this suggests what to do next.
First. Transform your long-range weapons into a strategic tool. Not publicity for ineffective (for now?) weapons. Not isolated striking blows, but systematically depriving Russia of the ability to finance and supply the war.
Second. Move from waiting for American deliveries to creating a European weapon production system for Ukraine. Factories are needed, joint orders, long-term contracts. And above all – our own missiles and air defense systems. This requires a fundamentally different quality of negotiations.
Third. Do not engage in cheap publicity stunts on “confronting America.” There is Congress, the defense industry, political forces there that understand the danger of strengthening Russia. 22 Congress members are already demanding new sanctions. Work with them – systematically, daily, at all levels. This also requires a different level of diplomacy.
Fourth. Make economic resilience part of defense. Russia destroys enterprises and energy sectors. Therefore, war risk insurance, protection of production facilities, backup power, and restoration funds are needed. Not after the war. Now.
We cannot choose who will sit in the White House. But we can and must determine how much Ukraine will depend on their moods.
And most importantly – do not wait for allies to decide our fate.
Subjectivity is not the right to loudly object to others’ decisions. It is the ability to act in such a way that you must be taken into account.
Such capability is what Ukraine needs to build up every day.
