Draining the Swamp

There Is Nothing Here to See: A Deep Dive into Abuse, Delay, and the Politics of Distraction

In a stunning diplomatic reversal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has managed to rebuild his relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump, culminating in a $10 billion weapons deal announced on July 4th. Just months earlier, Zelensky had been ejected from the White House following a heated Oval Office exchange. The turnaround was not accidental. It was the result of a carefully orchestrated campaign by European leaders and Republican allies who coached Zelensky on how to appeal to Trump’s transactional instincts. Trump’s growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin also played a role, as repeated missile strikes on Ukraine followed seemingly cordial calls between the two leaders. The final breakthrough came during a NATO summit in The Hague, where Zelensky presented a proposal that allowed Europe to fund U.S.-manufactured weapons for Ukraine, aligning with Trump’s preference for indirect support while maintaining Kyiv’s defense capabilities.