Ukraine does not need to panic about the Trump administration. Nevertheless, the same cannot be said about Ukrainian politicians who gamely thought they could benefit from the result of the U.S. elections. The best strategy for us as a nation is to escape from the myth of “external control” and populism falsely presented as patriotism, and instead to begin pursuing our own, clear interests. MP of the OPPOSITION BLOC Serhiy Lovochkin wrote it in his article “Ukraine Can Win in the Trump Age” for the American news magazine “U.S. News & World Report”.

“It's time to change the Ukrainian approach to foreign policy and national security. In the age of Trump's America, countries that are the source of unending problems are unlikely to get the attention they seek, much like a millennial child who stamps his feet and pouts,” Serhiy Lovochkin considers. According to him, such behavior is more likely to be ignored by an America preoccupied with putting its own interests first.

“The former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul wrote on Twitter on 9 November that Ukraine has lost elections in the United States most of all. I do not agree with this – from changes in the administration most lost those countries around the world, who believed that America would solve their problems,” the politician noted. He stressed that the time has come to give thinking about Ukraine, which is not a source of problems on the world stage, and their solutions.

First of all, according to Serhiy Lovochkin, it is necessary to end the conflict in the East of the country. “Unity is not just a slogan, it is a policy and a mode of behaving. Kiev's pro-government politicians have shown themselves to be intolerant of opposing views. When prominent businessman Victor Pinchuk penned an op-ed suggesting painful concessions might be necessary to end the war, the state security service formally investigated his article as potentially treasonous. Meanwhile, the minister of culture stated not long ago that eastern Ukrainians are somehow genetically inferior. Actions and words like these could not be less constructive.If we continue on our current course, then peace and unity will be devalued as meaningless words,” the politician wrotein his article.

In his opinion, the political establishment in Ukraine, not looking at its ratings should relate to the end of the war as seriously as this is the Ukrainian people. “Only when the conflict is over, our economy will start to grow again. However, rather than undertake superficial reforms like those we’ve seen over the last couple of years, we need some real reforms in the sphere of work of the government, if we want to be able to compete with other countries. Kiev needs to loosen the noose around the neck of the Ukrainian business and local communities and to allow markets, government and business to develop in the regions,” the MP said.

“Acceptance of this new reality is perhaps the first step towards the pursuit of national interests of Ukraine. This process will require the courage to restore peace, for change and the desire to take responsibility for themselves and the fate of the country,” Serhiy Lovochkin stressed.