Ukraine is the biggest and most consequential of all the American betrayals

As the war enters its fifth year, it’s time for Europe to take the fight to Putin on its own terms and tell Trump to get lost

The Ukraine Community Choir at the event to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the Church of the Incarnation, Frankfield/Grange, Douglas. Picture: David Keane

Viewed from Europe, the US’s failure to defend the people of Ukraine against Russian aggression is the greatest and most consequential of a host of recent American betrayals. 

It’s not just the sickening subservience shown to Vladimir Putin, an indicted war criminal and mass killer. It’s not only the victim-blaming and bullying of Kyiv into making concessions. It’s not even Donald Trump’s crass attempts to monetise the war and milk the misery of millions for Nobel glory, while undercutting Nato allies and trampling sovereign rights.