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Politics & Government

VDH-Why Won’t Europe Step Up More to Help Ukraine? Why Mostly the USA?

Hanson said: "Europe is greeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as if he's a rock hero" "But let's look at that issue for a moment"

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L. A. "Tony" Kovach, Neighbor
Base image credits Daily Signal and YouTube. Text and collage credits to this writer for MHProNews and this Patch.
Base image credits Daily Signal and YouTube. Text and collage credits to this writer for MHProNews and this Patch.

According to his bio-in-brief: "Victor Davis Hanson [a.k.a.: VDH] , a senior contributor for The Daily Signal, is a classicist and historian at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and author of the book "The Second World Wars: How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won." This writer for MHProNews and in this "Reality Check" series for this Patch echoes what the Daily Signal said at the end of this article they provided. "We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal." That said, VDH is a respected figure on the right. More insights plus other topics will follow in Part II by yours truly.

As a brief preface, the people of any given country are in the experience of this writer and others routinely 'good people.' There is often a difference between a people and their government. Additionally, let's ask this question. The 'world order' that was established by elites that often-pushed globalization - which was supposed to be so superior - how has that worked out in practice?

Part I

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Commentary
Why Won’t Europe Step Up and Help Ukraine?

Victor Davis Hanson | March 12, 2025

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Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos.

Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson for The Daily Signal. I want to talk about Europe very briefly.
Europe is greeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as if he’s a rock hero and giving us all sorts of dramatic, melodramatic, psychodramatic pronouncements that they are going their own way because of the Trump isolationism, and sometimes it’s Trump Jacksonianism. They can’t count on us. And Ukraine was the catalyst. But let’s look at that issue for a moment.

We have 500 million people in Europe and they’re very upset that 330 million people across the ocean will not help 40 million people fighting 140 million people in Russia.

In other words, of all the players in this drama, it’s Europe who should be in the driver’s seat. They have 500 million people. And yet, when we look at their expenditures, nine countries out of the 32, 11 years later, have not increased their NATO contributions to 2%.

What should they be doing? They should be meeting with the Trump administration and telling the American people why countries in Europe still won’t meet their military responsibilities.

They’re also running a $200-plus billion trade surplus with the United States. They need to tell us—instead of just saying, “We don’t want to get in a tariff war; Trump is a protectionist”—just explain to us why we in Europe believe that we deserve a $200 billion surplus each year with the United States. And maybe you could explain why your tariffs are not symmetrical with ours. We just need to know. We need to know that very quickly, in fact.

Another thing we need to know from Europe that we’re not getting, besides their surplus and the inability for all the NATO nations to meet their responsibilities and their promises of 11 years ago, is what is the strategy for Ukraine?

They’re very angry that President Donald Trump temporarily cut off some aid to Ukraine to urge Mr. Zelenskyy to consider a truce so he can negotiate a more lasting peace and stop the Stalingrad slaughter between Ukraine and Russia. I don’t even mean between Ukraine and Russia. It’s basically caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and they’re on the defensive, but Ukraine has not been able, strategically, to show a pathway to strategic resolution and victory.

Again, my interest and your interest is, what’s the alternative position by Europe? Is it we have 500 million people, we’re going to rearm, we’re going to divide up tasks? Finns have great artillery. They will supply the artillery to Ukraine. The Swedes and the French have good air forces. They will supply the air cover. The Germans have a tradition of great tank-making. They’re not very productive in tank production today. But perhaps they’ll promise to send 500 tanks. And then outline a position or a trajectory or a pathway where they can force, apparently, Russian President Vladimir Putin all the way back to where he was either in February 2022 or maybe even 2014.

But we don’t get any of that. We don’t get anything but rah-rah talk that we’re all Europeans. We’re not Donald Trump. We’re going to stick together. We’re going to put boots on the ground. We have what? Logistical capacity, armor, air force.

Why can’t they just get together and get an exact, detailed plan of military wherewithal, coupled with a strategy, coupled with a renewed commitment to meet their NATO promises, coupled with an explanation to the American people why they feel that $200-plus billion trade surplus is essential to Europe’s survival and it is not a result of asymmetrical and unfair trade practices?

That’s all we’re asking for.

---

Part II - Additional Insights plus Other Topics

1)

There is no doubt that war is tragic. The video attached to that X-post above is a reminder of that reality.

2) It was not long after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out that there was reportedly a peace deal on the table. The "Nuland" in the X-post video below is Victoria Nuland, a signficant figure in the Obama-Biden (D) and Biden-Harris (D) adminstrations. Per left-leaning Wikipedia: "Victoria Jane Nuland is an American diplomat who served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2021 to 2024. A former member of the US Foreign Service, she served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs from 2013 to 2017 and the 18th U.S. ambassador to NATO from 2005 to 2008."


3) The text from that post above said this.

"Wow! Nuland basically admits that Ukraine-Russia peace deal, which was close to being finalized in spring 2022, “fell apart” because US, UK & other Western governments “advised” Zelensky government that it was not “good deal” even though even members of Ukrainian delegation stated in recent interviews that this was very good deal, best deal that Ukraine could get & “very real compromise” & that Ukrainian delegation celebrated it with champagne. She basically confirms statements by ex-Israeli PM, head of Ukrainian delegation, Ukrainian officials close to Zelensky, ex-German chancellor & Turkish FM that US & UK blocked this peace deal, which was close to being finalized.

Victoria Nuland does not mention at all Russian war crimes in Bucha, which were inflated & mispresented by politicians, media & self-proclaimed experts as reason for ending peace talks. The peace deal agreement included withdrawal of Russian forces from all territory of Ukraine, with exceptions of Donbas & Crimea, whose status was to be determined at meeting of Putin & Zelensky, in exchange for neutral status & demilitarization of Ukraine."

4) This X-posted video above echoes the point that many of the "elites" of Europe are not serving the interests of Europeans. A similar argument can be made about many in the U.S. This next X-post video illustrates the statement that not long after the war broke out, Russia and Ukraine had been working towards an agreement that would have allowed Ukraine to be a neutral country that would never become a NATO member, something like Finland was for years.

5) There are what is sometimes called 'a war party' in many Western nations and among Russians and Communist Chinese too. In the U.S., between the two world wars, a once famous Marine Corp Major General Smedley Butler who said that "War is a Racket." There are some that profit from war and are willing to drag a country (or countries) into war to fuel those profits for the few paid for by the blood, destruction and financial costs of others.

https://www.manufacturedhomepr...

https://www.manufacturedhomepr...

What Major General Butler crisscrossed the U.S. to talk about, and wrote about how "War is a Racket." Decades later, former Western Allies commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his farewell address, cautioned against that "military industrial complex" that has also been called the "war party" that turn conflicts into what General Butler asserted that "War is a Racket." It is worth noting that it is said that Butler "was the most decorated Marine in U.S. history."

6) The man who is now the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (a.k.a.: RFK Jr), is described by some as a classical liberal. Kennedy said this in an item quoted by MHProNews on April 2, 2021.

7) The disputes between Ukraine and Russia were not always as several elements of the mainstream media reported. It was more complicated than "Russia bad" and "Ukraine good." For example. From the WestPoint.edu website is this on what is called the Budapest Agreement of 1994. The following was authored by: "Robert Lawless is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law and Managing Director of the Lieber Institute for Law & Land Warfare at the United States Military Academy, West Point."

"During the Cold War, the Soviet Union stored thousands of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, then one of the Soviet republics. In 1991, upon the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine became an independent State. It inherited the Soviet nuclear arsenal on its territory, instantly making it the third largest nuclear power in the world.

Both Russia and the United States recoiled at the notion of a nuclear-armed Ukraine. Additionally, although somewhat controversial within domestic political discourse, many in Ukraine supported relinquishment of its nuclear arsenal. Indeed, in its 1990 Declaration of State Sovereignty, Ukraine asserted its “intention of becoming a permanently neutral state that … adheres to three nuclear free principles: to accept, to produce and to purchase no nuclear weapons.” Almost immediately after Ukraine gained independence, the three States began discussing how Ukraine would transfer the nuclear weapons from its territory..."

...Before agreeing to give up its nuclear arsenal, Ukraine sought guarantees that its sovereignty and territorial integrity would be respected. Additionally, Ukraine wished to secure financial assistance, both as remuneration for the valuable nuclear fuel it possessed as well as to defray the costs of transferring and eliminating nuclear weapons from its territory. ...

"...On December 5, 1994, the presidents of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine—Bill Clinton, Boris Yeltsin, and Leonid Kuchma—met in Budapest, Hungary. At the meeting, Kuchma transmitted Ukraine’s instrument of accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which led to START I entering into force between the United States and the former Soviet States (including both Russia and Ukraine). The long negotiation process concluded with the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom signing the Budapest Memorandum, which extended security assurances to Ukraine..."

8) Both Russia and Ukraine claim each violated the Budapest Memorandum, which some - like Assistant Professor of Law Robert Lawless - assert was never a treaty. In support of that view, it is noted that according to the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Senate must ratify a treaty and that did not occur with the Budapest Memorandum. Nevertheless, the "assurances" given to Ukraine, after the outbreak of the war in 2022, seems to have been paid mostly by the U.S. rather than by Europe, to VDH's point in Part I above.

9) Furthermore, as President Trump (R) has said before and since his re-election in 2024, Joe Biden (D) said he knew the Russians would attack Ukraine. His language was hardly a deterrent, as the last three years of warfare reveal.

10)

11) Whatever happens, in hindsight, it may well be revealed that some made millions to billions of dollars as a result of this tragic and perhaps avoidable conflict. This next X-post with video is one of many that make similar points and arguments.

The question is, will Congress or the Trump Administration - if the war is successfully ended - begin to follow the money trail and see who made how much as possible reasons why the war began and why it was allowed to go on for so long? Keep in mind that during the 2024 campaign, Kamala Harris (D) took a stance that would have allowed the war to continue with U.S. support.


12) This series has been dubbed a "Reality Check" on this Patch because so many issues are interconnected. As the X-post above observed, the money spent on Ukraine could have been used for other purposes. Why is it that the U.S. lags behind so many countries in the rate of homeownership? Why do we have so much homelessness? To learn more, see the following. Thanks for checking in.

3rd Senate Dem Announces Retirement Plan as Schumer Shutdown May Loom

VP Vance-Illegal Immigrants Squeeze U.S. Citizens from Home Ownership

---

‘Make Americans Wealthier’ 10 Highlights POTUS Trump Speech and More

T O'Neil-AARP Alternative AMAC Weighs in on DOGE and Trump 2.0 Efforts

--

New Manufactured Home Production Trend UP But Research Raises Concerns

Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) Released Jan 2025 data that reflects continued improvements since 2023 but...

VP Vance-Illegal Immigrants Squeeze U.S. Citizens from Home Ownership

Bill Wilson - "A Mistake From The Past That Can Be Avoided"

GROK Affordable Housing Crisis Thesis-‘This Ain’t Theory—it’s a Heist’

Fact Checks by Grok-Copilot-Gemini Point to Problems at Manufactured Housing Institute that help Explain 21st Century Manufactured Home Sales

---

Is Decline in Christianity in U.S. Over? Pew Research Suggests It Is

Numbers of Those Praying and Attending Religious Services or Mass Have Stabilized According to Recent Findings Including a Big New Pew Study

Feb 2025 sees Lowest Number of Border Crossings in Modern USA History

HUD Sec Scott Turner Tension with HUD Research v Local Zoning Barriers

GROK reports on "Most Comprehensive" article on Sec Turner's recent remarks to WMAL, CPAC, and on challenges to solve affordable housing.

Dems Fretting Over Billionaires Are on Billionaire Dole for Years

Audrey Streb-for DCNF and via Daily Signal: Democratic Officials that Criticized Wealthy Despite Taking Funding from Billionaires (Ouch!)

Rob Romano-Who Controls Foreign Policy? President Or District Courts?

'Sexual Deviants' in Federal Service to be Fired-per DNI Tulsi Gabbard

More on those and other topics in this eclectic "Reality Check" series here on this Patch.

Big Majority Approve DOGE-Plus Political Cartoons to Muse and Amuse

THE Reality Check-All of Us Have Been Manipulated & Lied to-E. Nickson

Dan Bongino to FBI - 'We’re About to See it All. It’s All Coming Out.'

Larry Elder on 'Supercharging the U.S. Economy' Using a Proven Method

---

Democrats and GOP both 'Underwater' in New Poll-But Guess Which Leads?

By the Numbers - Evidence of Discrimination Against Believers in God

Employees! It is ‘Not Free Market Capitalism It’s Corporate Feudalism’

HUD Sec Turner-'Corporate Takeover of Housing—A Manufactured Crisis'

'Trump Is Leading a Historic Counterrevolution Against the Deep State'

Federal Racket-Follow the Money-Tammany Hall 2.0 and Big U.S. Media

U.S. Manufactured Home Industry Production 2024 Total Up per MHARR

(Note MHARR is short for the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform.)

‘Endemic Mismanagement of HUD Manufactured Housing Program’ Nom Turner

'Restoring and Expanding Affordable Housing Role of Manufactured Homes'–MHARR Letter Cites 2000 Reform Act, "Enhanced Preemption" Much More

Scott Turner Confirmed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development-Official HUD+Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) News Releases; Manufactured Home Generational Wealth

> ‘Endemic Mismanagement of HUD Manufactured Housing Program’ Nom Turner

'Restoring and Expanding Affordable Housing Role of Manufactured Homes'–MHARR Letter Cites 2000 Reform Act, "Enhanced Preemption" Much More...https://patch.com/florida/lake...

> Big Govt, Big Pharma, Big Food made Americans Overweight and Unhealthy

> Virginia Bishop for ‘Well-Regulated Borders’ Amid VP J.D. Vance Rumble

> Romano-Trump Bans DEI In Federal Govt—States And Corporations Are Next

> How Republicans Should Follow Through on Tough Talk on Immigration

> NPR=87 Registered Democrats in Editorial Positions and No Republicans

> President Donald J. Trump’s Official 'America First Priorities'

---

> Rubio Senate Replacement Ashley Moody (FL-R) Gets Key Assignments

> Trump Plan: Make America Safe, Affordable, Restore U.S. Values for All

---

> Official Manufactured Housing Production from 1995-2023-Why it Matters

> Anna Paulina Luna (FL-R) and Barry Loudermilk (GA-R) MERIT Act Insight

> Executive Orders on Investigating Biden Censorship & Weaponization

> Floridian Dr István Dobozi Strikes at Trump Again in Magyar Article (Another critical analysis - fact check).

---

> Why do Liars Lie? Why do those Engaged in Paltering and Spin Palter?

> Controversy-Manufactured Housing Institute-Lesli Gooch-Mark Bowersox

> ‘Mobile Home Values Rising Faster Than Single-Family’ House-Wow Fact$

> Realtor-What Is a Manufactured Home? The Next Step Beyond Mobile Homes

> Orlando RE Agent Smith-Younger Adults Will Need $8500 Monthly for Rent

---

> Rob Romano-Time To Declassify Everything, Or Another RussiaGate Ahead

> Contemporary Tips from Legend Paul Harvey-Surprising Rest of the Story

> Alert: Is Affordable Housing Linked Scandal at Champion Homes Brewing?

> Report: Biden-Harris Federal Agencies Spent Millions Torturing Cats

> Lesli Gooch Ph.D.-Award, Coverup, Headfake, Scandal? Rest of the Story (Manufactured Housing Institute linked)

---

> ALG Unpacks Trump Pitch to Cut Drug Costs by Cutting PBM Middleman

> Is there Evidence that God Exists? Evolution vs. Intelligent Design

> Democratic Voters-Closer Look at Biden’s Acts Before Biden-Harris Exit

> Christian Leaders-Signs of 4th 'Great Awakening' Millions go to Jesus

> Attorney John Morgan - Democrat Megadonor on Kamala Harris Campaign

---

> USA Today - David Plouffe and Dem Advisers on Kamala Harris Revelation

> Majority OK Trump Transition-Mass Deportations-Tariffs- Is it Hopeful?

> Niskanen Center Praises Manufactured Home ‘Cost Savings’ and ‘Quality’

> Alice Carter-The Northern Forum-Deporting Immigrants & Housing Crisis

> Cartoons-Kamala Day 1, DOGE the Swamp, Brainwashing, & Out In the Cold

---

> The Creepy Line-Peter Schweizer-Dr. Jordan Peterson-Dr. Robert Epstein

> Secret State Miniseries - Fictional TV Series Shed Light on Reality

> Trump Transition Team Asked to Prioritize Affordable Housing Issues

> Top 10 States for Homelessness & Top Cities for Crime=Shocking Lessons

> WashPost-American Dream Fades But Assoc CEO Mark Weiss Shows Solution

---

> Blankley-Goodbye American Dream? Only 10% Polled Can Buy a House; But

> Frank Rolfe-Special Interests ‘Don’t Want to Solve Affordable Housing'

> TARK-‘I’m a Teen and Know the Solution to Affordable Housing Crisis’

---> Renting? Rent too High? Odds Are DOJ Suit vs RealPage Matters to You

> New-Certified “Half Price Homes” - Affordable Housing Solution Redux

---

> Solution: “Would-Be Homebuyers Need 80% More Income Than 4 Years Ago”

L. A. “Tony” Kovach is a publisher who has earned multiple awards in history. He and his family live in a manufactured home on private property in Winter Haven, FL. He is the co-founder of Manufactured Home Living News.com (MHLivingNews.com) and Manufactured Home Pro News.com (MHProNews.com), trade publications serving segments of the manufactured home industry. Having worked in several segments of the manufactured home industry for over 3 decades, Kovach is a widely acknowledged and often praised expert on manufactured housing. ###

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