U.S. Vice President JD Vance engaged in a heated debate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in the Oval Office on February 28. President Donald Trump also expressed his position, calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict rather than continuing military actions, writes Peter Wolfgang, President of the “Family Institute of Connecticut Action.”
The author notes that, despite his personal respect for Zelensky and the courage of the Ukrainian people, he believes that the U.S. should prioritize its own interests rather than getting involved in a conflict with Russia. He acknowledges that Russia is the aggressor but criticizes the messianic interventionism that dominated American foreign policy after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Wolfgang emphasizes that there is no unity among U.S. Catholics regarding the war in Ukraine. Many American Catholics with Eastern European roots strongly condemn Russian aggression, while others support the pragmatic approach of Trump and Vance. At the same time, he highlights the importance of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including the work of the “Knights of Columbus.”
The author criticizes attempts to drag the U.S. into a broader war and recalls the broken promises of the West—both regarding NATO non-expansion to Russia and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. He also refers to the reaction of American society to the war, including the politicized support for Ukraine among parts of the left-wing electorate.
The article concludes with reflections on the consequences of American foreign policy and the illusions associated with U.S. world leadership. Wolfgang agrees with the opinion that the bloodshed must end, and the illusions about the absolute dominance of the U.S. on the world stage must be dispelled.
