Opinion – Ukraine’s Future Is Not in Its Own Hands

This opinion piece argues that Ukraine’s sovereignty has been eclipsed by great power politics, as the United States and Russia negotiate geopolitical outcomes over Kyiv’s head. While Ukraine continues to resist Russian aggression, shifting U.S. policies—especially under Donald Trump—have sidelined Ukrainian leadership from critical diplomatic decisions. Through recent episodes like Zelenskyy’s exclusion from peace talks and a collapsed minerals deal, Özkan illustrates how Ukraine has become a pawn in a larger power contest. The article challenges the narrative of a values-based war, revealing instead a transactional logic in which small states are disposable to hegemonic interests.