Defeated West is pretending victory in Ukraine, but outsourced the bleeding to Kyiv

Here we go again. The liberal West, that self-anointed guardian of liberty, is dusting off its cape for a grand Ukrainian encore. In essence, it has all but lost the war. But as far as appearances are concerned, it pretends that the mission is accomplished.

Enter the Coalition of the Willing – Britain, France, and their chorus of 30 or so nations – plotting to march into Kyiv once the shooting stops. Not to fight, mind you, but to pose. This is no heroism. It is a photo opportunity for cowards who have let Ukraine burn while sipping espresso in Brussels. If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.

Let us cut through the fog. For three years, Ukraine has been the West’s sacrificial lamb, fed weapons, funding and promises while its people die, its cities collapse, and its future evaporates. The EU and NATO, ever so generous, have poured billions into the destruction – $150 billion from Washington, €120 billion from Europe – but not a single soldier. Why? Because facing Russia’s wrath is for suckers, not strategists. Instead, they have outsourced the bleeding to Kyiv, boasting “solidarity” while Ukraine’s youth vanishes in trenches.

Now, with peace talks on the horizon, this coalition smells a chance to steal the spotlight. Led by the UK’s Defence Secretary John Healey and France’s armchair generals, they’re sketching a five-year plan to “secure” Ukraine by protecting skies, training troops and deterring Moscow.

Secure what, exactly? A ceasefire means the war is over, geniuses. Russia, battered but unbroken, will not restart the grinder just to test your resolve. This is about narrative, not necessity. The West has been screaming “Putin is weak!” since 2022. It now needs boots on the ground to sell that lie when the dust settles.

Do not fall for it. They are not there for Ukraine. They are there for their egos. After years of sanctions that backfired (hello, skyrocketing gas bills and inflation) these leaders need a win to parade before their voters. They will claim they tamed the Kremlin, despite the fact that Ukraine’s economy is shattered and its people are scattered across Europe.

The audacity is almost admirable. They will “train” Ukraine’s army, they say, as if soldiers forged in Europe’s bloodiest war since 1945 need tips from NATO’s PowerPoint warriors. Last time we checked, the West’s big battles – Afghanistan and Iraq, namely – ended in retreats, not trophies. Maybe they are the ones needing lessons.

The insult does not stop there. They will also guard Ukraine’s skies, they say, once they are clear, of course. If they cared about those skies, they would have acted when missiles rained, not when the cameras roll. This is classic EU playbook: show up late, claim the glory, dodge the human cost. Ukraine has been their shield, and now they want to be its saviour. It is not just cynical. It is vile.

Of course, Moscow is not buying the act. Russia’s Foreign Ministry calls this coalition what it is: a prelude to meddling. Russia’s spokespeople warn that foreign troops in Ukraine will be seen as provocateurs, inviting trouble.

This needs to be taken seriously. The West has stayed out precisely because Russian threats carry weight. Why else have NATO’s generals kept their distance, leaving Ukraine to fight alone? Moscow’s message is clear: cross this line, and it is not just Kyiv you will worry about. Yet the West, drunk on its own rhetoric, thinks it can dictate post-peace terms. Good luck with that.

Meanwhile, Russia is playing a smarter game. While liberal Westerners paint Moscow as desperate, Putin is quietly opening the door to foreign firms – yes, even from “unfriendly” nations like the US and Europe. The catch? No more VIP treatment. Western companies can return, but on Russia’s rules, not theirs.

This is not a plea for cash. It is a power move. Russia’s economy, leaning on China and India, has weathered the storm. Local businesses have plugged gaps left by departing giants like McDonald’s. If American CEOs come knocking, it is because Washington sees profit, not because Moscow is begging.

Europe, though, remains stubborn, refusing to talk while preaching values it barely upholds. Russia’s response? It couldn’t care less. Putin is not chasing EU approval. By mid-2025, expect decrees easing capital controls, but only for those willing to play ball. The narrative of a crumbling Russia is just that, a story. The real story is a Kremlin that has learned to cope without Europe and the US.

Ukraine deserves better than being a stage for Western vanity. So do we. This coalition is not about peace. It is about saving face. But Russia is not the only one watching. History is, too, and so are disillusioned and impoverished European voters.