We have been bombarded on all sides with analysis, opinion, and outright propaganda stemming from the recent strange televised encounter between POTUS, VPOTUS and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On one side, MAGA supporters say the American officials were trying to settle the war and bring peace. They say Zelenskyy was very disrespectful and never once thanked the USA for helping him battle the Russian Army. I guess this is why POTUS ordered a halt to UA arms shipments along with halting intelligence support, including vital satellite service to those fighting the Russian bear. The Libs' version blames POTUS/VPOTUS for trying to bully the victim of the Russian invasion into taking a peace deal favoring the other side, a deal with no guarantees. They say we have switched sides by claiming the Ukrainians started the war, by vetoing a UN resolution blaming Russians for triggering the war in the first place, for belittling the UA president and kicking our friend out of the White House.

But, there is more than one side to the dust up. European nations, who depended on our troops to protect them from the Russians for 80 years, are also beginning to go it alone.

In an attempt to figure out some of this complex mess, I sat down with Southport Island’s Paul Zalucky. Paul is not only of Ukrainian extraction but is a retired senior American foreign service agent who spent many years in Eastern Europe. He is currently a consultant to several firms. As such, he is in close touch with European leaders and the Ukrainian people. I asked for his take on Europe/Ukraine as we sat in soft chairs in a Boothbay coffee bar.

For two hours and more, he did just that. First, he believes the Ukrainian people are standing up to the American political pressure. Despite POTUS's claim that Zelenskyy is very unpopular, Zalucky pointed to a Kyiv newspaper poll that gave the UK president a 68% approval rating. He said recent American attempts to court Zelenskyy’s political opponents fell on deaf ears earning a flat rejection.

Are the Ukrainian public and fighting forces tired and want to give up, as some suggest? Far from it, said Zalucky. After three years of war, they are worn out, but they have no choice but to struggle on for the sake of their nation and their families. As for their trusting Putin, the Russians, and any of their peace promises — they don’t.

What about the rest of Europe? I recently watched a televised session of the British Parliament where the prime minister urged his nation to stand firm with Ukraine. The House of Commons is always good for a rousing debate, but this time the Labour and Tory parties lavished praise on Zelenskyy and his nation. Zalucky suggests you go online to find similar opinions from France, Germany and other nations.

One of the strongest indicators of European support came during a recent meeting of leaders in Kyiv, where nations pledged additional support to counter the American withdrawal. At that event, the president of Finland, Alexander Stubb, urged the Europeans to oppose Putin by warning he could not be trusted.

He proposed Europe take the lead by strengthening the Ukrainian Army, arranging a cease-fire, and finally negotiating peace. But, according to his speech, “some things are non-negotiable.”

“One is EU membership. It is not Russia who decides on EU membership. It is the European Union who does that. Two is NATO. It is not Russia that decides on NATO membership. It is the Alliance itself. Three is Ukrainian defense. It is not Russia that decides on what Ukraine has by its border, when, where, and how. And four: European security arrangements. It’s not Russia that decides on that. We already have a European security order and should stick to it.”

Then he closed his speech with this strong message. “I also believe that this is a day when we have to face the fact that Putin has lost this war, in the sense that we will see a European Ukraine. We will see eventually Ukraine in NATO. We’ve seen a unified European Union and hopefully a stronger transatlantic alliance in the long run.” Are we finally seeing the end of the American occupation of Europe after World War II?

Are we now watching the re-arming of Germany, France and the rest of Europe? There is much turmoil in Washington over the question of Ukraine. But Zalucky seems to think Europe is getting its act together, that Putin’s economy is suffering, and that his European neighbors are ready to stand up to his bullying.

But you won’t see that message reported on Fox or MSNBC where they focus on the latest POTUS proposal. Stay tuned folks, but keep your seat belt fastened.