The Russia-Ukraine War: A Geopolitical Quagmire Fueled by Power, Money, and Proxy Interests

The war between Russia and Ukraine has become a defining conflict of our time, with no end in sight as of July 2025. What began as a regional dispute has morphed into a complex geopolitical struggle, drawing in global powers and exposing deep-seated tensions.

Putin’s Leverage Over America: A Strategic Upper Hand

Vladimir Putin has emerged with significant leverage over the United States, a position bolstered by military, diplomatic, and economic factors:

-Military Dominance: Putin is confident that Russia’s battlefield superiority is growing. With nearly one-fifth of Ukraine under Russian control, particularly in the east, he believes Ukraine’s defenses are on the brink of collapse. This perception has allowed him to dismiss peace overtures from the U.S. and press forward with renewed intensity.

-Diplomatic Advantage: The Trump administration’s shift toward a softer stance on Russia has undone the isolation imposed by Biden. Putin has seized this opportunity, engaging in high-level talks that position Russia as a legitimate negotiator while maintaining its aggressive posture in Ukraine.

-Economic Resilience: Despite Western sanctions, Russia has adapted, finding ways to sustain its war machine. The Trump administration’s decision to halt new sanctions has further reduced pressure on Moscow, giving Putin the economic breathing room to continue the fight.

Putin’s leverage lies in his ability to dictate the pace of the conflict, forcing America to react rather than lead. His refusal to compromise, coupled with the U.S.’s inconsistent approach, has tilted the balance in his favor.

Trump’s Resentment and More Armaments for Ukraine: A Continuation of Biden’s Policy

Donald Trump returned to office vowing to end the war “in one day,” but his growing resentment toward Putin has led him down a familiar path—escalating U.S. involvement by sending more weapons to Ukraine, echoing Biden’s approach:

-Frustration with Putin: Trump’s initial admiration for Putin has soured. He’s publicly criticized the Russian leader more harshly than ever, reflecting his irritation with Putin’s refusal to negotiate on Trump’s terms.

-Resumption of Military Aid: Facing intensified Russian attacks, Trump has reversed earlier pauses in U.S. aid, sending advanced weaponry like Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS rockets to Ukraine. This mirrors Biden’s policy of arming Ukraine to counter Russia, despite Trump’s campaign rhetoric of de-escalation.

-A Shift in Strategy: While Trump once spoke of brokering peace, his actions now suggest a willingness to prolong the conflict. His decision to fuel Ukraine’s war effort has drawn criticism from those who see it as a betrayal of his promise to end the fighting quickly.

This shift highlights a continuity between administrations—Biden’s policy of “fueling the conflict” has become Trump’s, driven by resentment and a desire to counter Putin’s gains. Yet, it raises the question: are we, the American people, unwittingly being dragged deeper into a war we didn’t vote for?

Unconstitutional Involvement and Money Laundering: The Hidden Motives

The U.S.’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war has sparked outrage over its legality and true purpose:

-Constitutional Overreach: Critics argue that the billions in military aid—over $120 billion under Biden, now continued by Trump—exceeds the executive branch’s authority without proper congressional approval. This level of commitment to a foreign conflict, they say, is unconstitutional and lacks the democratic mandate of the American people.

-Money Laundering Allegations: There’s a growing belief that the war serves as a front for money laundering. Billions in Western funds flow into Ukraine, with little oversight, raising suspicions that the conflict is a convenient way to funnel money to shadowy interests. While hard evidence is scarce, the opacity of these transactions fuels the narrative.

-Fueling the Fire: Rather than seeking peace, the U.S. has poured resources into keeping Ukraine in the fight. This approach, critics contend, benefits the military-industrial complex and political elites who profit from perpetual war, not the Ukrainian people or American taxpayers.

These concerns paint a troubling picture: a conflict driven less by principle and more by profit, sustained by policies that sidestep constitutional checks and balances.

Russia’s Victory in the East and Ukraine’s Desperate Reliance

Russia has largely won the eastern front, while Ukraine clings to survival through Western support:

-Eastern Ukraine Under Russian Control: Russia now holds just under 20% of Ukraine, with its forces solidifying gains in the east since late 2023. This victory has come at a brutal cost—over 420,000 Russian casualties in 2024 alone—but Putin shows no sign of relenting.

-Ukraine’s Lack of Manpower: Ukraine doesn’t have the bodies to throw at the conflict. Its forces are depleted, with hundreds of thousands dead or wounded. Without Western funds and weapons, Ukraine’s resistance would crumble, a reality that underscores its dependence on foreign backers.

-Western Lifeline: The U.S. and its allies have kept Ukraine afloat with billions in aid. Pauses in shipments have exposed Ukraine’s fragility, yet the resumption under Trump ensures the war grinds on, even as the human toll mounts.

Russia’s grip on the east signals a de facto win in that theater, while Ukraine’s survival hinges on a lifeline that may not hold indefinitely.

U.S. Mercenaries and the Proxy War Reality

This isn’t just Ukraine versus Russia—it’s a war between America and Putin, with U.S. involvement deepening by the day:

-Mercenaries and Support: U.S. mercenaries and private contractors are reportedly providing logistic and surveillance support to Ukraine. While official confirmation is lacking, their presence aligns with America’s history of indirect intervention, blurring the line between advisor and combatant.

-Direct Military Aid: Beyond mercenaries, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with advanced weapons, intelligence, and training. This support has been crucial to Ukraine’s resistance, making America a de facto belligerent in Putin’s eyes.

-A Clash of Titans: Putin frames the war as a response to Western aggression, particularly NATO’s influence. For him, Ukraine is the battleground in a larger struggle against American dominance. This proxy dynamic risks dragging the U.S. into direct conflict, a scenario many fear is inevitable.

The involvement of U.S. personnel and resources cements the narrative: this is America versus Putin, with Ukraine caught in the crossfire.

The West’s “Boogeyman” and Trump’s Broken Promise

The war serves a purpose beyond Ukraine’s borders, propping up Western interests and defying Trump’s pledge to end it:

-A Necessary Villain: The West needs a “boogeyman” like Putin to justify military spending and political agendas. The conflict sustains the military-industrial complex, boosts arms sales, and distracts from domestic woes—a cycle that benefits those in power.

-Hundreds of Thousands Lost: Both sides have paid a staggering price, with casualties in the hundreds of thousands. Yet, the war drags on, fueled by interests that thrive on chaos rather than resolution.

-Trump’s Prolongation: Trump promised a swift end to the conflict, but his actions—resuming aid and escalating tensions—suggest he’s now prolonging it. This reversal has left many Americans feeling betrayed, asking why we’re funding a war we didn’t vote for.

The “boogeyman” narrative keeps the war machine turning, while Trump’s shift from peacemaker to enabler dashes hopes for a quick exit.

A War We Can’t Escape

The Russia-Ukraine war is a quagmire with no clear resolution. Putin’s leverage over America, built on military gains and diplomatic savvy, has outmaneuvered U.S. efforts to contain him. Trump’s resentment has fueled more aid to Ukraine, continuing Biden’s policy of escalation despite constitutional questions and money laundering suspicions. Russia has largely won the east, while Ukraine persists only through Western funds, its people exhausted and its future uncertain. U.S. mercenaries and support signal a proxy war with Putin, one the West sustains to serve its own interests, even as Trump prolongs a conflict he swore to end.

We didn’t vote for this, yet we’re being dragged in—inch by inch—into a war that benefits the few at the expense of the many. The human cost is staggering, the motives murky, and the end nowhere in sight. Until the underlying dynamics of power, money, and geopolitics shift, this conflict will remain a bleeding wound on the world stage.