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Volodymyr Zelensky

Thursday February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025 by Graeme MacKay
The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal highlights concerns of economic exploitation and the lack of security guarantees as Ukraine faces Russian aggression.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 27, 2025

Posted to Politico Europe.

Extortion in the Guise of Diplomacy

Pierre Poilievre is meticulously preparing his populist platform as a diplomatic performance, positioning himself as Canada’s ideal emissary to align with Trump’s second reign while competing with Trudeau’s own courtly overtures.

December 5, 2024

In the annals of modern history, few nations have fought as valiantly for their sovereignty and democracy as Ukraine has in the face of an illegal and ruthless invasion by Vladimir Putin. As the world watches, Ukraine stands as a testament to the resilience of a nation besieged yet unyielding. However, in a disheartening twist of fate, the very country that Ukraine looked to for support—the United States—has engaged in a maneuver that reeks of extortion, exploiting Ukraine’s vulnerability for economic gain.

Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the United States has shifted from a traditional ally to a transactional partner, placing a price tag on global security. The proposed minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine is emblematic of this shift, demanding Ukraine hand over a significant share of its mineral revenues in exchange for past military aid and vague promises of support. This approach transforms diplomacy into a mercantile transaction, undermining the principles of mutual respect and partnership.

News: U.S. and Ukraine Agree to Minerals Deal, Officials Say

June 15, 2022

Critics have rightly labeled this tactic as extortion. At a time when Ukraine desperately seeks security guarantees to fend off further Russian aggression, the U.S. has offered economic demands instead of concrete commitments. This power play has not gone unnoticed, with many viewing it as a neo-colonial expansion where economic interests overshadow ethical responsibilities.

The reader comments and reactions to this deal echo a collective outrage. There is a strong sense of betrayal and disappointment, as the world witnesses a nation that stood firm against tyranny being coerced into an unfavourable agreement. The absence of specific security guarantees further amplifies the perception that the U.S. is exploiting Ukraine’s plight rather than offering genuine support.

December 24, 2018

This scenario sets a dangerous precedent. If the world’s leading democracy can engage in such extortionist measures, leveraging its power to extract economic concessions from a war-torn nation, what message does this send to other countries? The fear is that this model of diplomacy—where security is bartered for profit—could be replicated elsewhere, including in regions like Canada, where strategic interests may one day be similarly exploited.

In this narrative, President Trump emerges not as a champion of global security but as a transactional leader, placing profit over principle. The notion of leveraging Ukraine’s mineral wealth for U.S. cooperation is seen as a shrewd yet ethically questionable move, one that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term alliances.

News: Ukraine outlines draft minerals deal with U.S., but touts no concrete security guarantees

The convergence of Elon Musk’s influence over U.S. elections, Donald Trump’s authoritarian ambitions, and Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical agenda feels eerily like the unfolding of a real-life James Bond thriller, with democracy and global security hanging in the balance.

October 26, 2024

As the world grapples with the implications of this deal, it is imperative to remember the cost of such transactional diplomacy. The fight for democracy and sovereignty should not be reduced to a mere financial transaction. Ukraine’s struggle and resilience deserve more than a price tag—they deserve unwavering support and solidarity from the international community.

The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and moral dilemmas in international relations. It challenges us to reflect on the values we uphold and the kind of world we wish to build—a world where support for democracy is not contingent upon economic gain but rooted in shared principles and mutual respect.


Did Americans willingly vote to abandon being leader of the free world?

The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal strikes me as economic extortion. While Ukraine seeks protection from Russia, the U.S. is demanding a significant chunk of its mineral wealth without offering any solid security guarantees. This feels more like a power play than genuine international support, with U.S. interests overshadowing true aid for Ukraine’s democracy. Under Trump, the U.S. has left a void in the world order, stepping away from its role as leader of the free world. For those of us who warned about Trump’s ways before his election last November, this is no surprise. Liberty, freedom, and the notion of a shining city on the hill no longer seem emblematic of the United States. Is this what Republicans voted for just three months ago? The world appears to be entering dark times.

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for February 27, 2025, below! If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a crucial platform for me amidst the uncertainties of being a staff cartoonist, especially given recent layoffs and newspaper closures affecting our field. As long as I hold my position, subscriptions will remain free. Thank you for your support! This “note” helps craft my weekly posts and showcases animated versions of my cartoons. Enjoy!

– The Graeme Gallery

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Posted in: International Tagged: 2025-04, aggression, colonial, diplomacy, Donald Trump, Economy, expansionism, exploitation, extortion, minerals, protection, Russia, security, sovereignty, transactional, Ukraine, United States, USA, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky

Thursday June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 1, 2023

Putin’s Hypocrisy: Denouncing Ukraine While Engaging in Immoral Invasion

Vladimir Putin’s recent denouncement of Ukraine’s attempt to “intimidate Russia” is nothing short of audacious. As his own forces continue an immoral invasion of Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians, including innocent civilians, Putin’s hypocrisy knows no bounds.

February 24, 2023

In his statement, Putin portrayed Ukraine’s biggest-ever drone strike on Moscow as a terrorist response to Russia’s previous strike on Ukraine’s military intelligence headquarters. He claimed that Ukraine had chosen the path of intimidation and attacks on residential buildings. However, the truth is glaringly obvious – Putin’s regime has been the aggressor in this conflict, relentlessly pursuing its expansionist agenda.

While Putin attempts to paint Ukraine as the villain, it is his own forces that have brought the 15-month war to the heart of Russia. Drone attacks, strikes on oil pipelines, and even an attack on the Kremlin itself have intensified in recent weeks. Despite Ukraine’s denial of involvement in the Moscow attack, U.S. intelligence believes otherwise. The New York Times reported that Kiev was responsible, further undermining Putin’s narrative.

News: Moscow drone attack: Putin says Ukraine trying to frighten Russians  

January 26, 2023

The Moscow attack struck prestigious areas of the city, including those where the Russian elite, including Putin, reside. Yet, despite this breach of security, many Muscovites carried on with their lives, displaying their famous fatalism. Putin’s propaganda machine ensured calm coverage, downplaying the severity of the situation.

Putin has consistently framed the conflict in Ukraine as a struggle against an arrogant and aggressive West, accusing them of risking a global war by supporting Ukraine. However, the reality is that Putin’s actions have caused one of the deadliest wars in Europe since World War Two. Russia’s relentless supply of weaponry to Ukraine and its expansionist ambitions have escalated the conflict, disregarding the lives of Ukrainians caught in the crossfire.

Furthermore, Putin’s claims of the West escalating the war by supporting Ukraine ring hollow. It is Russia that continues to violate international norms, ignoring the sovereignty of a neighbouring country and causing immense suffering. The United States, among others, has expressed a desire to avoid war with Russia and has urged Ukraine not to attack inside Russian territory.

Analysis: The Moscow drone attacks bring Russia’s war to its doorstep – and put Putin’s alternative reality at risk  

February 26, 2022

The audacity of Putin’s denouncement of Ukraine’s actions while his own forces perpetrate violence and invasion cannot be understated. His regime’s disregard for human life and blatant hypocrisy should be condemned by the international community. It is imperative that the world holds Putin accountable for his actions and supports Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty and peace.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, the deaths of innocent Ukrainians and the destruction of their homeland cannot be forgotten. The international community must stand united against Putin’s aggression and support Ukraine in its quest for justice and freedom. Only by holding Putin accountable can we hope to prevent further loss of life and preserve the principles of peace and sovereignty that underpin global stability. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give editorial cartooning a try.

https://mackaycartoons.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-0601-INT.mp4
Posted in: International Tagged: 2023-10, blood, drone, International, invasion, procreate, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, world

Thursday July 14, 2022

July 14, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 14, 2022

Canada’s decision on Russian-owned gas turbine equipment is about helping its German NATO ally

There will be no quick victory in the war in Ukraine. After nearly five months of fighting, the loss of thousands of lives and the devastation of some of the country’s largest cities this is the sickening reality. 

April 12, 2022

Despite capturing vast territory, the Russian army that invaded Ukraine without provocation in February has failed to force its opponent to surrender that land. For its part, the Ukrainian military has neither given up resisting the Russians nor succeeded in driving them out.

Just over a week ago, the Russians triumphantly declared they had captured the entire Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine. But on Tuesday, the Ukrainian government announced its forces had carried out a long-range missile strike that hit a Russian ammunition dump and killed 52 Russian soldiers in south Ukraine. More notably, the Ukrainian government said this signalled a counterattack aimed at forcing Putin to abandon the land his soldiers have seized.

And so with these events, the conflict has entered a new phase. This will almost certainly not be a short military adventure for Russia. And there will be no a quick recovery of freedom for brave Ukraine. The pundits who originally predicted it would all be over in weeks were wrong. This is now a long war. It will be an increasingly bitter, brutal war of attrition. It will be fought out over many months. And while it might end when one side or the other is too bloodied and exhausted to go on, it retains the potential of becoming a broader European conflict.

It is essential for the NATO allies — including Canada — who have been supporting Ukraine with the weapons and money it needs to realize all this and act accordingly. There must be no splits in their united front. Of course, sending NATO troops into Ukraine is off the table because that would risk escalating the war beyond Ukraine’s borders. However, there can be no backing off the pledges they have made to help Ukraine keep its independence, preserve its democracy and teach Russian President Vladimir Putin his authoritarian piracy will not prevail in this century.

April 13, 2022

To a degree, Ukraine’s western allies have already adjusted their tactics and strategy. The European Union recently named Ukraine as a candidate for membership. The G7 countries, including Canada, have strengthened sanctions against Russia. At a recent summit in Madrid, the members of NATO decided to reinforce their presence on the alliance’s eastern borders to deter and, if that’s not possible, defend against further Russian invasions. As part of that initiative, Canada agreed to upgrade the NATO battle group it leads in Latvia to a brigade. While the federal government has not said this means more boots on the ground it proves Canada’s commitment to the region, even at some risk to Canadian lives.

The federal government had struggled with another dilemma before deciding this week to return Russian-owned gas turbine equipment to Germany, which would then hand them over to Russia. And this despite Canada’s economic sanctions against Putin. The Ukrainian government understandably objected to an action it said would benefit Russia and its sales of natural gas to countries such as Germany. Yet because of the disruptions in gas shipments caused by the war, Germany faces an energy crisis. It is bizarre that western countries are trying to defeat Russia with economic sanctions and supporting Ukraine even as much of western Europe still relies on Russian gas. But Canada’s controversial decision was primarily about helping its German NATO ally. And that ally will be more dependable in the coming long war if its citizens are not freezing in the dark this winter.

Though Russia has more soldiers and a bigger arsenal than Ukraine, it has suffered devastating losses in both its human and material resources. If this war drags on long enough and continues to punish both the Russian economy and military, perhaps other Russian leaders will rise up and oust Putin. However, Ukraine is suffering too — with as many as 200 of its troops dying in battle every day.

For now, NATO countries should continue raiding their own military stockpiles and arming Ukraine with weapons superior to what the Russians possess. And above all they must reject any peace proposal on Putin’s part that would allow him to dismember Ukraine and continue to occupy the areas he has stolen. This is now a long war. NATO must back Ukraine for the long haul. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2022-22, Canada, diplomacy, frenemy, invasion, Justin Trudeau, Russia, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky

Tuesday March 1, 2022

March 1, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 1, 2022

Putin’s blind ambition has backfired

February 23, 2022

We’re seeing history written before our eyes in Ukraine and Russia. No one knows how it will turn out in the end, but at this point, five days into the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign state, one thing stands out:

It looks very much as though Vladimir Putin has scored what in the soccer world they call an own goal. He took aim at his supposed enemies, and smacked himself in the face.

Consider:

•Instead of crushing Ukraine with overwhelming might, his forces are bogged down as Ukrainian soldiers and civilians alike put up a heroic resistance.

•Instead of dividing the West, he has given it common purpose in opposing his naked aggression. Ukraine’s example has stiffened the spines of western nations that were dithering about how far they were prepared to go in standing up to Putin.

•Instead of rolling back NATO, he’s now seeing more countries rushing to join it, for fear they might be next on Putin’s hit list.

•Instead of flexing his economic and energy leverage over Europe, he’s seeing the ruble collapse and sanctions beginning to bite. Russia is now an international pariah.

•And instead of unifying his own people, he’s seeing demonstrations against the Ukraine war breaking out in Moscow, St. Petersburg and dozens of other cities. Decent Russians are appalled by their government’s actions.

Even as talks between the two sides were underway on Monday, for example, Russian forces struck at the city of Kharkiv, hitting civilian targets and killing many people. There could, unfortunately, be much more such bloodshed to come.

Posted in: International Tagged: 2022-08, diplomacy, Donald Trump, Earth, International, invasion, planet, Russia, Ukraine, USA, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, war, world

Friday September 27, 2019

October 4, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

September 27, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 27, 2019

Donald Trump’s bizarre New York meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky: ‘I’ve made him more famous’

December 20, 2016

As an impeachment storm rages in Washington, to say that Donald Trump’s tête-à-tête with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was hotly anticipated would be the understatement of the week.

And it delivered: their appearance before the media in New York was tense, bizarre and funny all at the same time.

On the right: Trump, 73, the one-time real estate mogul and reality television star, now the Republican president of the United States.

On the left: Zelensky, 41, a one-time comedian, now president.

A summer telephone conversation between the two men is at the centre of a political firestorm in the US capital, and prompted opposition Democrats to launch an impeachment inquiry against Trump.

In his usual dark blue suit and red tie, Trump – literally sitting on the edge of his seat – was anything but relaxed.

February 26, 2014

Zelensky, sporting a three-piece black suit, seemed far less anxious and settled easily into his armchair.

The tension in the room was palpable, but the conversation started on a lighter note, and even seemed like a surreal comedy act.

“He’s made me more famous and I’ve made him more famous,” the billionaire Trump quipped at the start of the meeting, to laughs from the press corps.

“It’s better to be on TV than by phone,” Zelensky replied with a bit of a knowing grin, speaking in English, a language in which he was fairly comfortable.

Then the tone shifted significantly.

Did the leader of the world’s only superpower put pressure on his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate the family of Joe Biden, one of the Democrats vying to take on Trump in the 2020 election?

Zelensky hesitated and stammered before answering: “I think you read everything. (…) I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be involved in the democratic, open elections of (the) USA.”

Then he was more precise: “We had – I think (a) good phone call. It was normal. We spoke about many things, and … so I think, and you read it, that nobody pushed me.”

Trump chimed in: “In other words, no pressure”.

And then the Republican leader got angry. (Continued: South China Post) 

 

Posted in: International, USA Tagged: 2019-34, Donald Trump, foreign interference, International, Ukraine, USA, Volodymyr Zelensky

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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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