On Feb. 24, 2022, almost exactly three years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine. The BBC states that President Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, wanted to prevent the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) from gaining a foothold while also “demilitarizing and denazifying” Ukraine, hence why he invaded Ukraine. Putin claim that Ukrainian Nazis are committing genocide, however, there is no evidence of this. Ukraine, a much weaker state, struggles to defend itself. Ukrainian citizens used unorthodox methods like placing plates face down on the road to trick Russian tanks as they look like bombs. While methods like this slowed down Russian tanks, it could do nothing but delay the impending doom. Countries around the world, like the United States, provided money and weapons, though, none provided military support or backup.
When Russian troops first attacked, The BBC reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked if he would be performing his presidential duties outside of the country in a safe place. Zlenskyy denied and went even further to protect his country. Zelenskyy himself donned an army uniform and stayed to defend his country alongside his people.
According to NBC News, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, Zelenskyy held a press conference during which he stated that he would be willing to give up his position as president in exchange for peace in Ukraine. He also added that if peace could not be reached, he would resign if NATO granted membership for Ukraine. He went further by saying “I’m focusing on Ukraine’s security today, not in 20 years. And I don’t intend to stay in power for decades,” reported NBC News. Zelenskyy has left it up to Russia and NATO to make their decision. Though Russia has never stated their alternative motive for invading, Zleenskyy claims Russia wanted to get rid of him and his family. By offering to step down, Zelenskyy has given Putin a chance to show his true colors.
NATO was established in 1949 after World War II with the goal to protect the security and freedoms of all members. There are currently 32 countries in NATO including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Finland, Britannica reports. NATO focuses on diplomacy and solving problems before it becomes violent, but they state that they will resort to war if necessary. The Kingdom of the Netherlands states that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that an attack on one NATO country is an attack on all of them. Meaning that if one NATO country is attacked, the others will come to aid. To become a member of NATO, a country must undergo a long and strict process. For years, Ukraine has wanted to become a member of NATO and has been continuously denied. According to the Miami Herald, to be a member of NATO, a country must meet a list of requirements. Some of these requirements include that the country must be in either Europe or North America, and the country must have a democratic political system based on a market economy. NATO has claimed that Ukraine does not meet the requirements needed to join. Specifically, since Ukraine is a young democracy, it might not be established enough. Furthermore, NATO argues it has not flushed out all political corruption. NATO also claims that it is helping Ukraine meet those requirements. Though NATO states Ukraine will be a country once it meets the requirements, others believe that just might not be true. In the Miami Herald, Stanley Sloan, an expert in transatlantic relations at Middlebury College, states that there is an unwritten reason why NATO will not allow Ukraine to join. That reason was that it could hurt NATO’s relationship with Russia, as Russia had for years shown its distaste with Ukraine. After Russia invaded Ukraine, it seemed impossible that Ukraine would be allowed to join NATO. It is possible that NATO will keep pushing back Ukraine’s membership in order to keep strong ties with Russia.
NBC News also stated that President Trump and President Zelenskyy have had a public dispute in which they went back and forth insulting each other online. Trump stated that the war in Ukraine was caused by Zelenskyy and that Zelenksyy was a dictator. At this press conference, Zelenskyy was asked about President Trump. He responded by stating that he and Trump were partners and that he wanted Trump on his side.
A true president is willing to put his country before himself. Zelenskyy has done that on numerous occasions by choosing to stay and fight with his country, and now by offering to step down so that his country may survive. In the midst of war and chaos, noble people like Zelenskyy show that there is still good in our world and that good will continue to shine.
