Hero or Dictator?

The Netherlands [ENA] "Governments change, but politics remain the same," wrote James Aldridge in his novel The Diplomat. However, it seems that this saying is not always valid. The current U.S. President, Donald Trump, and his team are not continuing the policies of the previous president—at least not when it comes to Ukraine. In other words, not only has the government changed in America, but so has its policy.

Or perhaps it hasn’t changed at all—maybe it’s just the same policy in a different form. After all, in politics, interests have always come first... Until recently, Zelensky was seen as a hero by the entire Western world, both in the U.S. and in Europe. But now, he no longer holds the same position in the eyes of some. I once heard that an eagle lifts its prey into the sky before dropping it to the ground to kill it, making it easier to consume. When I look at Zelensky, I can’t help but think of this analogy. He was lifted so high that I always wondered, Will they let him fall?

Before the elections, President Trump had promised to end the war in a short time. Everyone was curious about how he would achieve this. Later, however, he made statements about Zelensky that almost echoed Putin’s own words. Even now, he continues to express these views, even going so far as to call Zelensky a "dictator." Trump also suggested that Zelensky's presidential term has already ended and that he might no longer be considered the legitimate president. Putin holds the same view. I won’t go into detail about everything Trump has said about Zelensky and Ukraine, as the media has already covered it extensively.

The U.S. president does not hesitate to openly state that he wants Ukraine’s underground resources. He also insists that the money the U.S. has spent on Ukraine must be recovered. To sign the related agreement, Zelensky is expected to visit the U.S. on February 28, 2025. However, Zelensky has declared that he will not sign this agreement. The question is: Will he stand by his word? Another important question is: How can the U.S. sign an agreement with a president it no longer considers legitimate? And if such a document is signed, will it be legally valid, despite being signed by someone deemed illegitimate?

For now, Europe continues to express positive opinions about Zelensky. Some even argue that the U.S. is not a reliable partner due to its stance against Zelensky and, by extension, Ukraine. There are also those who criticize the U.S. president for his remarks about Zelensky. In short, in the eyes of Europe, Zelensky is still a democrat, not a dictator. But how long will this perception last?

It’s hard to say. From my observations, Europe is also growing weary of the war. What course will European policy take next? Time will tell. In my opinion, at some point, Europe may align its stance on Ukraine with that of the U.S. After all, Europe will also want to claim its share in the "distribution of rewards." So, is Zelensky a democrat or a dictator? No matter what people say, time will provide the most accurate answer to this question. But one thing is certain—if he emerges victorious from this struggle, he will undoubtedly be considered a hero...