Putin: The Definitive Dictator and 10 Overlooked Truths About the Ukraine-Russia War We Can’t Afford to Ignore

This week has been incredibly tumultuous and perplexing in the realm of international diplomacy, with far-reaching consequences for Ukraine, the future of America’s global standing, and the legacy of President Trump.

Trump is undeniably justified in his desire to put an end to the violence in Ukraine. The level of suffering is staggering and the ongoing stalemate has been devastating. However, amidst the whirlwind of conflicting opinions emanating from the White House, there are at least ten critical truths that every American voter must remember.

In his eagerness to halt the bloodshed, these truths will serve as benchmarks for any peace agreement and will shape his historical legacy.

Disregarding these facts, or failing to treat them with the seriousness they warrant, will have profound repercussions for many years ahead:

Truth No. 1

Vladimir Putin initiated this war, contrary to Trump’s recent assertions.

In February 2022, following an extensive military buildup at Ukraine’s borders, Putin’s forces commenced a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. No rational explanation outside of Russian propaganda can attribute “aggressive” actions to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or NATO to justify such a military assault. This aggression follows Putin’s earlier annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the initiation of conflict in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

This doesn’t even account for the other conflicts he has instigated, such as the one against the small nation of Georgia in 2008.

Trump is absolutely correct in stating that the war “never had to start.” It is also likely that it would not have begun had he been in charge. Nevertheless, it was Putin—not Zelensky—who initiated the conflict.

Truth No. 2

Russia seeks conquest. The Russian Federation invaded Ukraine in 2022. Regardless of your opinion about the country or its leaders, Ukraine is a recognized, sovereign nation. Putin invaded with the intention of seizing the nation entirely. In contrast, Ukraine harbors no territorial ambitions toward Russia.

And let’s not overlook the violence of Russia’s actions. Among countless atrocities and war crimes committed by Putin’s forces is the kidnapping of around 20,000 Ukrainian children. Who wishes to exist in a world where the powerful can simply consume the powerless and abduct children by the thousands? Why hasn’t the U.S. prioritized their return in its negotiations?

Truth No. 3

Ukraine is striving for its independence. The majority of Ukrainians do not wish to be part of Russia. They do not want governance from Moscow. The overwhelming majority aspire to live in an independent, sovereign nation that controls its own destiny.

Truth No. 4

Ukrainians are distinct from Russians. Ukrainians and Russians are not “one people—a single entity,” as Putin claimed in a 2021 essay. His assertion that “modern Ukraine is entirely the product of the Soviet era” is simply untrue.

Ukrainians and Russians are two different ethnicities, each with their own languages and histories.

Truth No. 5

Putin is a dictator. He has dominated Russia with a ruthless KGB grip since ascending to power in 1999, systematically quashing independent media, abolishing free and fair elections, dismantling civil society, and eliminating political adversaries. This oppression extends beyond Russia’s borders, as critics of the war face incarceration.

Truth No. 6

Zelensky is not a dictator. As a political outsider, Zelensky emerged victorious in the 2019 presidential election, which was relatively fair and free. His approval rating stands at 57%, not the 4% Trump claimed.

Unlike in Russia, Ukraine boasts a lively independent media that holds the government accountable—despite assertions to the contrary from online trolls and Russian bots.

Numerous Ukrainians criticize the government’s handling of the war. During Britain’s fight for survival against the Nazis in the 1940s, elections also were not held.

The Russian ambassador to the UK declared yesterday that he is “unsure” if Zelensky would be re-elected if elections were held today. Yet, one thing is clear: regardless of whether Zelensky would secure re-election in Ukraine, Putin will invariably win in Russia. His elections are mere farces, staged spectacles. Putin has never participated in a genuine free election; he does not allow them.

Truth No. 7

Russia is not an ally of the U.S. It is a hostile, nuclear-armed nation that resents American hegemony and the global order established by the U.S. It is forging ever closer ties with China, Iran, and North Korea, aligning with countries that vehemently oppose America.

Truth No. 8

Ukraine is a friend to the U.S. Ukraine desires to integrate into the American-led global structure. Its people and government are strongly pro-American. Since the onset of the Russian invasion, the courageous men and women I have witnessed fighting at the front lines are defending their country against the Russian military, protecting their families and homeland, aware that failure could leave other nations vulnerable.

Truth No. 9

Putin is untrustworthy. This isn’t just a statement; 81% of American voters concur with it.

Putin has invaded several nations in breach of every international treaty. He has meddled in the elections of neighboring countries and flouted international accords, including the INF Treaty with the U.S.

Throughout his career, he has deceived American presidents and European leaders alike. He has misled Trump even since Trump’s return to office. Just recently, Putin assured that he would refrain from targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructures.

Yet only this week, he executed a large-scale missile and drone strike on various energy facilities in Ukraine. It seems as though Putin’s word holds little weight, and he remains indifferent to whether others are aware of this.

Truth No. 10

American assistance to Ukraine is not being squandered.

It’s undeniable that Ukraine grapples with corruption, but that doesn’t imply that protecting its sovereignty and people is unjustified.

We must also acknowledge which country is truly corrupt in this conflict. Russia operates as an extensive kleptocracy, governed by Putin and a small circle of oligarchs who have amassed incredible wealth while keeping much of the Russian populace in a state of poverty unimaginable to most in the West.

Throughout their careers, Putin and his associates have amassed power and riches, often resorting to torture and murder to silence anyone who exposes their corruption. Consider the cases of his political rival Alexey Navalny and the attorney Sergei Magnitsky. While corruption can be openly challenged in Ukraine, doing so in Russia could be fatal.

Moreover, the Department of Defense reports that approximately $58 billion out of the $183 billion in aid to Ukraine has been spent in America, directly benefiting American workers and sectors.

The conflict has also degraded the military capabilities of one of the globe’s most oppressive regimes, diminishing its threat not only to Europe but also to America without a single U.S. soldier being harmed. This sets a strong deterrent precedent for countries like China, Iran, and North Korea, discouraging similar aggression.

While it’s possible to criticize Zelensky and voice discontent, we should be clear about who ignited this conflict and identify the true dictator or villain in this tragic story.

Trump holds the opportunity to bring this war to a close, halting the violence. He might even earn a Nobel Peace Prize.

However, he will not earn accolades if the peace he negotiates is merely an act of appeasement, yielding to evil while ignoring evident truths.

The historical judgment will be exceedingly stringent—decades of peace and prosperity in Europe and America sacrificed in favor of a resurgent Russia menacing the East. Without a robust peace, it won’t only be Ukraine that endures suffering. We all will.

That is the ultimate truth.