President Donald Trump's recent false claims that Ukraine started the war with Russia have stirred strong reactions among American volunteers fighting alongside the Ukrainian army. Despite the lack of official US military support on the ground, many American veterans have joined the conflict following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Several US soldiers currently stationed on the front lines were contacted for their opinions. While some declined to comment to avoid further complicating the situation, others expressed concerns about potential repercussions from the US government. Those who did speak out unanimously disagreed with Trump's assertions.
One soldier, known by the call sign 'Whitefish,' who has been serving with Ukraine's International Legion for a year, voiced his disappointment with Trump's recent discussions with Putin. Whitefish, originally from Colorado, criticized the potential peace deal that could come at the expense of Ukrainians, stating that it would leave Ukraine vulnerable to attacks.
Whitefish emphasized that Trump's remarks disregarded the sacrifices made by American soldiers who have lost their lives defending Ukraine and warned of dire consequences for Europe if the conflict escalates further.
Another American volunteer, who chose to remain anonymous and has been fighting in Ukraine since 2022, acknowledged the efforts to end the bloodshed but highlighted Trump's underestimation of Russia's capabilities. Despite expressing fatigue over the loss of comrades, the volunteer pointed out the inherent challenge of controlling the Russian Army, suggesting that halting Ukrainian forces might not deter Russian aggression.
The sentiments shared by these American volunteers underscore the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the diverging perspectives on how best to address the situation.
