Behind the scenes of protocol smiles and flattering thanks to Donald Trump, a drama unfolded where Ukraine was cast in the role of a victim who must gratefully accept its own amputation. This was not dialogue, but a prologue to a "pact of slow capitulation," and analysis of the participants' real intentions leaves no doubt about this.Act I: An American conductor with a Russian scoreThe central figure of the performance was Donald Trump, but his role was not to create a new melody, but to perform a long-known Russian score. His "great deal" is merely a rebranding of the Kremlin ultimatum that has circulated in corridors for years.Let's examine the key points:Negotiations at gunpoint: Trump rejected the idea of a ceasefire as a precondition, fully adopting Putin's cynical logic: why stop the pressure if it accelerates closing the "deal"? This turns the negotiating table into a place of torture, where each day of bloodshed becomes an argument for capitulation."Trading sovereignty: "Unprecedented security guarantees" are offered not as a right, but as a commodity that can only be bought for one price—renouncing Crimea and Donbas. This is the classic formula of blackmail, where security for what remains is exchanged for legitimizing the original sin of aggression."Illusion of security: Rejecting NATO in exchange for "Article 5-type guarantees" means replacing real, institutional protection with paper promises dependent on individual leaders' political will. This is "Budapest 2.0," a deliberately non-functional construct.Why is Trump so eager to sell this toxic product? The answer lies in U.S. domestic politics. He's under pressure from American society (for whom Putin is evil), the Republican Party preparing for midterm elections, and a series of scandals requiring a positive agenda. A "peace deal" by October is his chance to demonstrate himself as an effective leader capable of "solving problems." And for this image, he's ready to sacrifice principles of international law.Act II: The European chorus and lone voices of reasonAgainst this backdrop, European leaders' role appeared ambiguous. Their words of gratitude to Trump, who "moved the situation from a dead end," were flattering diplomatic games, attempts to remain in the process and somehow influence it. However, this chorus was not unanimous. Lone but extremely important voices broke through, destroying the illusion of unity:Voice of justice: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was perhaps the only one to use the word "justice." This brief flash reminded us that peace without justice is merely postponed war, and from this perspective, the meeting was a complete failure.Voice of realism: Only German Chancellor Friedrich Merz dared speak about "pressure" on Russia and called a ceasefire an urgent priority demand, directly contradicting Trump's scenario.Voice of history: The Finnish President's reminder of his country's experience fighting an aggressor in the 20th century sounded like a warning: appeasing a predator never works.Voice of interdependence: The British Prime Minister, speaking about common security, emphasized that Ukraine's fall would mark the beginning of the end of security for all of Europe."These voices showed that part of the European elite understands the full danger of the situation. But this understanding proved insufficient to change the overall picture."Epilogue: Unused strength and the path to true peaceThe greatest tragedy of the Washington performance lies not in Trump's cynicism, but in Europe's strategic weakness. The need to sing flatteringly before the American president was born from its own indecision. Europe has all the levers to change the course of war, but fears using them.Instead of 18 packages of cosmetic sanctions, there could have been total economic isolation of Russia. If Germany had finally provided Taurus missiles, and the EU had confiscated frozen Russian assets, the conversation would be conducted from a position of strength, not pleading. Then Europeans wouldn't have to pay for their own security with Ukraine's future.Diplomacy is not enough. The true path to peace lies through understanding a simple truth: an empire cannot be persuaded, it can only be defeated. Time will tell whether Europe is capable of such a strategy, or whether it will choose the path of least resistance, which inevitably leads to catastrophe.And while politicians play their games, it's important for Ukraine—caught between pressure and the interests of major players—to remember one thing. From Heaven, thousands of our best sons and daughters are watching us, thousands of idealistic Ukrainians who gave their lives. They believe their sacrifice will not be betrayed. And any agreement that legitimizes aggression and gives away even a piece of our land will be a betrayal not only of international law, but of their sacred memory. This is the red line we have no right to cross. Never.