Survival now depends on rebuilding the country’s political and military foundations.


Sergey Maidukov is a Ukrainian writer. He is the author of “Life on the Run: One Family's Search for Peace in War-torn Ukraine.”
Survival now depends on rebuilding the country’s political and military foundations.

The goal is to cause an energy crisis and trigger a new refugee wave to destabilise Ukraine’s European allies.

That much became apparent last month, when expensive fighter jets were scrambled to shoot down cheap foam drones.

As Trump pulls away from Ukraine, Europe must choose: lead the fight – or face the cost of Russian victory.

Despite pressure from Donald Trump and meetings in Istanbul, Kyiv and Moscow seem far from committed to ending the war.
![Head of the Ukrainian delegation and Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov (L) during a press conference after a second meeting of direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul, on June 2, 2025. [Adem Altan/AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/000_48XD762-1748882936.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
If the US president does not change his strategy, he will fail as a peacemaker and an ally.

A rushed election in the context of war and increasing political polarisation in Ukraine could destabilise the country.
