History has a way of repeating itself, often holding up a mirror to our past mistakes, revealing the distorted face of the present. Yesterday, Donald Trump and his vice-presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, displayed not only scandalous behavior toward Volodymyr Zelensky but also revealed a darker, more troubling trend: the questioning of international partnerships, cynical remarks about the European Union, and the suggestion of dividing spheres of influence with Russia. This behavior is not just alarming—it is eerily reminiscent of some of history’s darkest chapters, such as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact or the Munich Agreement, where powerful nations decided the fate of smaller countries without giving them a voice.
Trump’s remarks on the European Union have been not just critical but actively undermining the very foundation of partnership. He has often referred to the EU as an “adversary,” as if it were a rival rather than an ally. This rhetoric does not just create distance—it erodes the transatlantic relationship that has been the cornerstone of Western stability for decades. And when Trump and Vance openly floated the idea of negotiating “spheres of influence” with Russia, it was not only irresponsible but dangerously naive. It’s as if the lessons of history have been forgotten. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the Munich Agreement taught us that appeasing dictators does not lead to peace—it only sows the seeds of future conflict.
As a writer from Eastern Europe, I feel the weight of these words personally. My homeland, too, was once a pawn on the chessboard of great powers, where others decided our fate without asking what we wanted. When Trump and Vance speak of negotiating with Russia, it’s not just the ghosts of the past that are evoked—it’s the future that is threatened. Eastern Europe is not a pawn to be moved at the whim of great powers; it is a proud, independent region whose voice must be heard.
But why is no one speaking up? Why is no one daring to say that the emperor has no clothes? Perhaps because fear and political interests silence critical voices. But silence does not change the facts. The lessons of history are clear: appeasing dictators, betraying allies, and acting irresponsibly toward the vulnerable always leads to tragedy.
“God Bless America,” they often say, but perhaps it’s time to ask: what kind of America should God bless? One that recognizes the emperor is naked and faces reality with courage, or one that chooses silence and denial?
As a writer from Eastern Europe, I cannot stay silent. The history of my homeland has taught me that the price of silence is too high. If we do not speak up now, tomorrow may be too late. The emperor has no clothes, and everyone must see it.
The choice is ours. History is not kind to those who close their eyes.