In the Donbas coal-mining town of Dobropillia, once described as a “haven,” the relative calm that attracted thousands of displaced civilians in earlier years has faded. By 2023, the town had received humanitarian assistance, including medical equipment, as it was considered secure compared with frontline regions. That sense of safety is no longer guaranteed, reflecting the broader instability in Ukraine.
Shifts Under Trump’s Presidency
Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the war in Ukraine has entered a different phase. The United States has reduced large-scale military aid, urging Kyiv to prioritize negotiations and self-reliance. While this has not ended hostilities, it has slowed Ukraine’s ability to mount large counteroffensives.
For Russia, this shift has provided space to consolidate control over territories already under its occupation. For Ukraine, it has meant managing limited resources while continuing targeted strikes. The result is a war that persists, but at a lower intensity than in earlier years.
Why Escalation May Follow
When Trump’s term concludes, the strategic environment is expected to change again. Several factors suggest the conflict may intensify rather than subside:
Unresolved Territorial Issues
Ukraine has consistently stated it cannot accept the permanent loss of Donbas and Crimea. Any future increase in Western support will likely be used to attempt to reclaim territory.
Russia’s Calculations
Moscow continues to pursue a strategy of attrition, waiting for Western divisions. A new U.S. administration may adopt a firmer line, prompting Russia to escalate in response.
European Security Dynamics
European states, including Germany and Poland, are expanding their defense commitments. A renewed U.S. engagement could strengthen NATO’s role in Ukraine, leading to a sharper military confrontation.
Local Impact
For towns like Dobropillia, which symbolize both resilience and vulnerability, any escalation would again put civilian populations at risk, reversing the limited stability achieved in recent years.
Republican vs. Democratic Approaches
To understand the bigger picture, it helps to contrast Republican and Democratic foreign policy traditions.
Republicans, particularly under Trump, often follow an “America First” approach. This means prioritizing domestic interests, reducing overseas commitments, and avoiding long foreign wars. Trump himself has repeatedly said he does not want to see the United States dragged into endless conflicts. This approach, while controversial, has slowed U.S. involvement in Ukraine and produced the current stalemate.
In contrast, Democrats are more inclined toward a globalist outlook. Their foreign policy emphasizes interference in other countries exporting so-called democracy, freedom of speech and expression and funding prolong war.
Applied to Ukraine, this likely means that a Democratic president following Trump would re-energize U.S. support for Kyiv. That would include more weapons, more funding, and more active diplomatic involvement. In turn, Russia would likely respond with heightened aggression, making escalation almost inevitable.
A Temporary Pause
At present, Trump’s policies have created a form of stalemate. The conflict continues, but both sides are constrained — Ukraine by resources, Russia by international sanctions and battlefield limits. However, this balance is unlikely to last.
The trajectory of the war in Ukraine is closely linked to shifts in U.S. foreign policy. While Trump’s term has produced a slowdown in Ukraine’s military momentum, the end of his presidency will likely reset Washington’s approach. A future administration could reintroduce higher levels of support for Kyiv, triggering a renewed phase of escalation.
The example of Dobropillia illustrates how quickly local security conditions can change. What was once a haven may again find itself on the frontline, reflecting the broader pattern of a conflict that remains unresolved and highly dependent on international political cycles.
