Washington needs to hear an argument it has so far ignored: pressure on Kyiv will not make Ukrainians accept capitulation. Newsmax, an outlet with a Trump-friendly audience, has now published that case.
The Political Reality
In John Rossomando’s article, Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, explains why replacing Volodymyr Zelensky would not produce a leader willing to sign away Ukrainian territory. Ukrainians who criticize Zelensky over corruption or domestic policy still back his resistance to Moscow and reject American pressure for territorial concessions. A politician who signed a surrender deal would have to answer to a society that refuses one.
The flaw lies in treating Ukraine’s independence as a bargaining position held by one president. Trump can attack Zelensky. He cannot appoint a Ukrainian public willing to capitulate.
An American Analogy
Merezhko calls Ukraine’s struggle its own War of Independence. Rossomando develops the comparison for American readers: the colonies fought for eight years and needed help from France, the Netherlands and Spain to secure recognition. The War of 1812 then tested US sovereignty again.
That history challenges Americans who celebrate their own fight for independence while asking Ukrainians to trade away theirs, rather than promising that Ukraine's war will follow the same course. Ukraine's need for partners leaves its sovereignty intact, and outside support strengthens the American cause.
Pressure Backfires
Merezhko says Trump’s attacks produced a rally-around-the-flag effect. Trust in Zelensky rose from 43% to 57% within days. His explanation is that external pressure makes Ukrainians dig in, so Trump’s desire to replace Zelensky may instead improve Zelensky’s chances of reelection.
Washington can spend its influence trying to force concessions Ukrainians will reject, or recognize that durable peace cannot be built on Ukraine’s capitulation.
The venue matters. This argument is appearing in Newsmax, not in an outlet whose audience already agrees with Kyiv. It tells Trump’s own political camp that a change of president in Ukraine would not change the country’s refusal to surrender.