The United States is repeating its past actions: distancing itself from allies. It’s as if each U.S. presidency must engage in betrayal as a method of statecraft. Numerous individuals who relied on our backing exist in abundance. We have George H.W. Bush with the Kurds, Barack Obama with the Syrians, Donald Trump and Joe Biden with the Afghans, and now Trump with the Ukrainians. America, once seen as the reliable ally, is failing in that role.
Having served as a U.S. intelligence officer in various high-risk conflict zones spanning Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, I retired prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As the Trump administration turns its back on this former American ally, many of us who practiced U.S. foreign policy on the ground are experiencing the onset of PTSD. We were there, far away from Congress and the Situation Room, away from think tanks and academic circles. We were the first responders, dropped into conflicts with the belief that support would arrive shortly.
This distinct policy shift is subtle enough that many Americans may not fully grasp its implications.
My fellow U.S. government colleagues and I engaged directly and closely with our allies, regardless of their identity. At times, we found ourselves in perilous situations, just as our allies did. We lived alongside them, shared meals, celebrated their victories, and grieved their losses. We made grand promises, offered platitudes, and extended assistance—at least initially. Yet, often there is no fairy-tale conclusion, as politicians repeatedly decide that the challenges have become too daunting or that political gain outweighs morality.
I once remarked to a four-star U.S. Army general about my fortune in working with the finest fighting force in eastern Afghanistan. He looked around, confused, as there were no U.S. troops present at the small frontline paramilitary base where we stood. I was referring to the Afghan Indigenous fighters whom we were en route to inspect. The general was not amused, yet nothing could be truer than the commendable bravery of the Afghans. Years after the rushed U.S. withdrawal from their homeland, many of those who fought against the Taliban are still in hiding. Tens of thousands of interpreters, engineers, and other noncombatant allies have been abandoned to face starvation, poverty, and retaliation.
Many of us, however, believed Ukraine would truly be different. This represented a classic tale of right versus wrong, of “David vs. Goliath,” and the U.S. did extend support to Ukraine once Russian forces began their advance. Since that point, Ukraine has inflicted significant casualties on the Russian invaders. Behind the scenes, the U.S. reportedly has provided crucial military and intelligence aid—without a single drop of U.S. blood being shed.
Did the U.S. do enough? No. Biden’s concerns over potential escalation with Russia resulted in lost opportunities, causing immense frustration for Ukraine, its soldiers, and its supporters. However, $60 billion in aid is no trivial matter. The Ukrainians fight with courage and tenacity, demonstrating time and again that they refuse to be defeated. With the support of the world’s leading superpower, anything seemed achievable.
Yet now, the Trump administration seems inclined to distance itself from Ukraine. The specifics of how this will unfold remain unclear, as the president and his team are not aligned in their messaging. Trump makes one statement one day, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offers a different narrative another day, and Vice President JD Vance along with special envoy Keith Kellogg provide yet another perspective. Yet one thing appears indisputably clear: the U.S. is no longer a reliable ally to Ukraine. At best, America is now a neutral participant; at worst, complicit in its downfall.
Our adversaries must surely be celebrating; the Kremlin likely has open vodka bottles in joy.
This notable policy shift is, however, subtle enough that many Americans may not recognize its significance. For Ukrainians, particularly President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the United States’ intentions are unmistakable. At the recent Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy made repeated appeals for U.S. support against Russia, insisting the U.S. should not act as a mediator. Not only was Trump unmoved, but he also accused Ukraine of igniting the conflict—an assertion that is blatantly false.
Building trust is a challenging endeavor, yet it can be lost with alarming ease. Though some statements from the Trump team, such as Hegseth’s claim that Ukraine would never join NATO, have been retracted, the damage is irreparable. Each concession to Russia represents a victory for President Vladimir Putin before negotiations even commence. A former senior U.S. intelligence officer shared with me that Ukraine, even under the best circumstances, will now view the U.S. as a spouse wounded by betrayal.
I have conversed with numerous retired U.S. national security professionals who have worked tirelessly to counter Russian aggression worldwide, including those who have spent the past decade engaging in Ukraine, asking them what this recent U.S. policy shift means to them personally. Often, their response is preceded by a long silence, followed by a deep sigh. One former intelligence officer reflected immediately on the many Ukrainians with whom he collaborated and their incredible determination and willingness to fight. Some have recently returned to Ukraine to reconnect with old friends. It was a challenging experience for them to face their former allies while the U.S. transitions from an ally to a neutral entity—or perhaps worse.
My former colleagues are also contemplating the future. Many expressed that this betrayal is monumental: vast in its implications, with far-reaching consequences for the next confrontation, likely with China. The fallout from this will far surpass that caused by the abandonment of the Afghans. Trusting the U.S. as an ally will now seem unattainable. Our adversaries are likely toasting to this shift; there must be celebrations in the Kremlin.
Is this the legacy Trump envisions? Does “America First” truly signify “America the Betrayer”? Or will this administration recognize its missteps, halt its push for an inequitable peace deal, and allow Ukrainians to determine their own future?
