Donald Trump’s Address to Congress. Key Takeaway for Poles

For Donald Trump, the war that is going on in Ukraine is less important than the fight against the woke ideology in schools and the position that [trans] men should not compete in women’s sports. It’s significant that we understand this when we think about our security.

To say that foreign policy was not a priority during Donald Trump’s address to Congress is an understatement. During the longest annual speech of a U.S. president in Congress in modern history (it lasted more than an hour and a half), Trump devoted the last part of his speech to that topic. And even then, Russia’s war with Ukraine was not the most important thing.

Greenland and the Panama Canal Are More Important Than Ukraine to Trump

Before Trump mentioned Ukraine, he talked about the Panama Canal and the fact that Americans built it, and now they are taking it back. He spoke of Greenland, which he invited to become part of the U.S. — asserting that sooner or later, “one way or another” it will happen. (Yes. we are talking about territory belonging to Denmark, a U.S. NATO ally). He also mentioned the arrest of the terrorist who carried out the attack at Kabul airport in 2021 during the chaotic evacuation of Americans and their Afghan colleagues after the Taliban took power. He also spoke of the Middle East, where he intends to establish a new order. And only then did he mention Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s imperial war is far down on Trump’s list of priorities.

Trump on the War in Ukraine: Lamenting the Victims from Ukraine — and from Russia

He did it in his usual style. He referred to Russians as being on equal footing with Ukrainians as victims of this war. “Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict,” he said. We here in Poland know perfectly well that these dying Russians are almost exclusively soldiers of an invading army. And mourning the war victims within the invading army ranks is like shedding tears over the fate of Wehrmacht soldiers who died during the invasion of Poland. Once again, Trump also overstated U.S. aid to Ukraine; he mentioned about $350 billion, while in fact, Congress authorized the allocation of $175-180 billion in aid to Ukraine. He also understated European support for the country fighting the Russians. In the end, he stressed that Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked him for the help, declared readiness for talks and for signing a deal for raw materials. “We’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he added. And that was it.

Conclusion for Europe: We Must Take Care of Our Own Security

What does it mean for us? In fact it confirms what we knew after the first 33 days of this presidency. Putin’s imperial war is far down on Trump’s list of priorities. And Trump does not see any fundamental issue in a conflict whose outcome could determine European security in the coming decades. It’s more of some matter that needs to be addressed, preferably quickly, because it’s expensive, and Trump doesn’t like to spend money that doesn’t return a measurable profit.

In Trump’s speech, there was nothing about a just peace nor about the territorial integrity of Ukraine nor about the consequences for the aggressor. What is more, the aggressor hasn’t even been identified. It was more important to emphasize that Zelenskyy thanked him in the letter and declared his desire to sign an agreement favorable to the U.S.

And once again, we have been given notice that Europe must take responsibility for its own security. Let’s hope we all understand this. Hopefully, it’s not too late.