The Atlantic: Ukraine Launches Plan B Without US Support
10- 19.04.2026, 13:39
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Kiev is reconsidering its approach to cooperation with Washington.
After a long effort to keep the United States as a major ally, Ukraine seems to be reconsidering its approach to cooperation with Washington amid the policies of Donald Trump. This is what Phillips Payson O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews, writes in an opinion column for The Atlantic.
In the piece, the analyst notes that while Kiev was trying to maintain partnership with the United States, Trump, according to him, showed sympathy for Vladimir Putin, cut military aid to Ukraine and repeatedly criticized the Ukrainian leadership, particularly President Vladimir Zelensky.
The turning point in relations
O'Brien said the turning point was Ukraine's participation in peace talks with Russia, which he believes were imposed on Kiev and looked like a concession in the Kremlin's favor.
"But now Kiev seems to have abandoned the United States. It is aggressively seeking new diplomatic and military partners," the analyst wrote.
Finding new partners
He said Ukraine is stepping up cooperation with the Persian Gulf countries and in parallel concluding new defense cooperation agreements with European states.
O'Brien also draws attention to President Zelensky's tough statements regarding the possible easing of sanctions against Russia by the United States, as well as his calls for Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities without focusing on Washington.
"The change in Ukraine's public stance comes amid an improving military situation in the country, at least compared to the difficulties of last year. Relying mainly on its own drone industry and military structure, Ukrainian forces have regained the initiative in many areas," he notes.
Ukraine's military situation and sustainability
The analyst also notes the Ukrainian Defense Forces' successes in offensive operations and systemic drone and missile strikes against targets on Russian territory. In his view, this contradicts the Trump administration's claims about Ukraine's weakness.
"Ukrainians would much more like the US to be on their side rather than Russia's. But Ukrainians do not believe that the loss of American support will inevitably lead to their defeat," O'Brien writes.
He adds that Ukraine has been able to keep things going in the war largely because of its own resources and the support of European partners.
"They see how they have been able to sustain the war using their own resources and with the help of European partners, even though the U.S. has turned its back on them. Rejecting the US as a friend might once have been a sign of doom for Ukraine. That is no longer the case," the columnist summarizes.
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