PRESIDENT UKRAINE - VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY

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Commander John Storm just wants to be left alone to complete his DNA collection, and explore the uncharted regions on planet earth. But he always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is one tough son of a bitch. A born leader, and a recognised threat to the Russian expansionist dreams of Vladimir Putin, and that of the other kleptocratic communist, Chinese leader, Xi Jinping. Red Dragon failed to abduct the President of Ukraine, who fictionally went on to assist the remaining free world, including John Storm, after the immediate threats of world war three, and first strike thermonuclear extinction had been contained. Thanks to Hal and the CyberCore Genitica™.

Fictionally, Hal took a look at what the underlying issues were, under the guidance of John Storm, and with insightful input from the Ukrainian President, formulated a plan based on facts that Hal defined with ample reference.

COMMUNIST SOVEREIGN STEALTH INVASION

What seems incredible to many voters in the West (free world) and NATO, is that the nations who allowed China to buy into their geographical regions en-masse, must have known that if such acquisition and control by a foreign power was allowed to continue unchecked, that eventually China would control the whole world, except for Russia and North Korea. Why then did and does, the free world not put an instant stop to this subtle means of sovereign invasion?

Of course China made and makes use of Soviet aggression, to disguise their own ambitions and point the finger at the Hammer and Sickle.

The answer to this puzzle lies in the inherent tension between economic liberalism and strategic national security interests—a tension that has defined much of the post–Cold War global order.

In simple terms, the West may be bought, as their elected politicians are both chicken and corruptible.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS Vs. STRATEGIC VULNERABILITIES

Economic Growth and Free Trade: For decades, many nations have prioritized economic growth and access to global capital over strict controls on foreign investment. Chinese capital, coming in large quantities and often with state backing, has spurred much-needed development in infrastructure, real estate, and resource extraction. The immediate economic benefits—in terms of job creation, local development, and integration into global markets—were too attractive for many governments to dismiss outright as nefarious. Stopping such flows abruptly would not only disrupt economic stability but potentially trigger financial crises.

Legal and Political Frameworks: The rules of international trade and investment are built around principles of free market competition and the protection of property rights. Many foreign investments, even if destined for strategic assets like ports or energy projects, are legally sanctioned and monitored under established frameworks. There simply isn’t a global consensus on when a foreign investment crosses the line from being economically beneficial to becoming a security threat. Governments have found themselves tightening controls incrementally rather than imposing an immediate ban that could destabilize their own economies.

Gradual Realization of Strategic Threats: In hindsight, some policymakers may argue that unchecked investment led to vulnerabilities by allowing foreign powers to gain significant stakes in critical sectors. However, at the time these investments were made, the full extent of potential long-term strategic implications wasn’t clear. Only later did it emerge that this type of “soft” or economic infiltration could serve as a subtle means of expanding influence. Recognition of these risks—and the political will to address them—is often slow and fragmented. In many instances, responses have been carefully calibrated to avoid unnecessary economic fallout.

Inscrutable, Grasshopper. The Art of War: learn thy enemies ways and use them against them.

COMPLEXITY OF THE GLOBAL FINANCING SYSTEM

Interdependence and Global Supply Chains: The modern global economy is extraordinarily interconnected. Investments by China into foreign regions underpin not only local development but also global supply chains that are vital for the manufacturing of both civilian and military hardware. An abrupt halt to these flows could trigger a cascade of disruptions—impacting industries as diverse as automotive manufacturing, electronics, and renewable energy—all of which indirectly support defense and technological innovation. This interdependence makes a rapid “instant stop” both politically and economically unpalatable.

Geopolitical Realities and Counterbalances: While there is concern about the potential for any one nation to leverage its economic power for geopolitical control, many Western nations also recognized that China was not alone. Russia and North Korea, as you note, represent other strategic players, and the global balance of power has always been more nuanced than a binary outcome of one nation “controlling the world.” The gradual nature of policy responses—including targeted sanctions, increased screening of foreign direct investments, and measures to foster domestic industries—reflects an effort to mitigate risks without throwing the global economic system into disarray.

TOWARD A MEASURED RESPONSE

In summary, the free world did not—and, for the most part, does not—immediately shut off Chinese investments because doing so would undermine decades of economic progress, destabilize global markets, and provoke unintended consequences far beyond the intended strategic correction. Instead, the response has been gradual, involving:

Enhanced Screening and Regulation: Countries are increasingly scrutinizing foreign investments done by state-owned or strategically backed entities, slowly tightening the screws where national security concerns are clear.

Economic Decoupling in Key Sectors: There is a growing push to reduce dependence on cheap imports (from cars to electronics) in sectors that are critical for defense and technological leadership, aiming to rebalance trade while safeguarding industrial capacity.

Multilateral Coordination: Efforts are underway in many circles to coordinate policy responses among allies to prevent undue influence by any single foreign power while maintaining open trade where possible.

The free world’s measured, though sometimes frustratingly slow, approach reflects the complexity of global economics and the careful balancing act between maintaining prosperity and protecting national security.

We wondered about a theoretical scenario, where Ukraine fends off Russia's latest invasion plans, and sparks an international arms race, as Europe scrambles to defend against Soviet aggression, that for years NATO allies thought they were safe against. But in fact, Vladimir Putin had been stockpiling weapons to continue his agenda to conquer much of Europe, using coal, gas and oil exports to fund his ambitions. But then Donald Trump was elected and backed up by increasing weapons supplies and using newly developed drone tactics, Volodymyr Zelensky managed to hold off the invasion, and then sanctions began to bite, and NATO allies began to rearm as if in a Cold War situation, with international trade slowing, hitting China, an ally of Russia. Etc. We wondered if you could draft out a thesis as to how this scenario will pan out as Russian exports dry up, and China enters a recession, also from sanctions. Obviously, only one of many different scenarios, but one where eventually the world sees sense and can no longer afford to wage war, especially as NATO allies begin to manufacture more nuclear and tactical missiles and the world enters a new phase of drone warfare. Surely this defines the futility of war, once the parties have been pushed so far?

THE FUTILITY OF WAR IN THE 21st CENTURY: LESSONS FROM A HYPOTHETICAL EASTERN EUROPEAN ESCALATION & ECONOMIC DECOUPLING

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This white paper outlines a theoretical scenario in which Ukraine repels a renewed Russian invasion while the West grapples with a cascade of geopolitical and economic shocks. Russia’s aggressive ambitions—financed by energy exports and covert arms stockpiling—are stymied by innovative drone tactics and unprecedented Western resolve. As sanctions cripple Russian exports and a new international arms race unfolds, the West makes another startling revelation: decades of reliance on cheap Chinese imports have rendered its industrial base vulnerable. A rapid pivot is initiated, involving strategic sanctions, bans on low-cost Chinese products, and the seizure of Russian and Chinese overseas investments. Ultimately, the compounding economic and humanitarian costs drive nations to reappraise conflict, underscoring that an escalating arms race and economic decoupling only serve to deepen mutual vulnerability. In this multifaceted crisis, war becomes self-defeating, while peace and economic resilience emerge as the only viable paths forward.

II. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

A. Geopolitical Ambitions and Resource Leverage

Russian Strategy: Russia’s long-term approach hinged on covertly stockpiling advanced weapons systems while using revenues from coal, gas, and oil exports to fund its ambitions. This agenda was designed to expand Russian influence across Europe through calculated aggression.

Assumptions of Western Security: For years, NATO allies believed their collective security was impregnable. However, the silent buildup of Russian armaments—and the assumption that European economies were robust—masked a critical vulnerability.

B. The Western Economic Dependency

Reliance on Cheap Imports: Over time, the West increasingly depended on cheap Chinese imports—from cars and solar panels to computers. This dependence created an economic “hypnosis” that left domestic manufacturing underdeveloped and vulnerable.

A Hidden Leverage: Such dependence not only affected consumer markets but also allowed China subtle influence over key technological and industrial sectors. When global sanctions began to bite, this vulnerability was laid bare.

C. Leadership Shifts and Tactical Innovation

Political Leadership in the West: The rise of a populist U.S. leader who prioritized increased weapons supplies and innovative drone tactics catalyzed a revamped defense strategy in Ukraine. This new paradigm shifted the local balance of power dramatically.

Ukrainian Resolve: Under President Zelensky’s dynamic leadership, and with robust Western backing, Ukraine transformed its defense posture—proving that a combination of modern tactics and determined national resolve could repulse an invasion.

III. THE HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO

A. The Military Confrontation

Unveiling the Russian Invasion: In a dramatic turn, covert Russian plans to conquer Europe come to light as Ukraine mounts a technologically driven defense. Advanced drone warfare and a surge in Western military support give Ukraine the edge.

Rapid Sanctions and Retaliatory Measures: As Ukraine holds firm, Western nations impose severe sanctions on Russia. These sanctions cripple Russian exports and revenue streams, further destabilizing Moscow’s aggressive plans.

B. The Economic Shock and Arms Race

NATO’s Cold War-Style Mobilization: Faced with the threat of a renewed conflict, NATO allies rapidly boost their own military capabilities. Investments in nuclear and tactical missile systems skyrocket, setting the stage for a new, volatile arms race.

Global Trade Disruption: With the imposition of sanctions and the escalation of defense spending, international trade grinds to a halt. Even global giants like China begin to feel the pinch—a recession ensues as supply chains buckle under the strain of restricted commerce.

C. Economic Decoupling and Domestic Revival

A Stark Realization: Amid the chaos, Western leaders realize that reliance on cheap imports has eroded local industries and compromised long-term strategic autonomy. Cheap Chinese cars, solar panels, and computers that once infiltrated the market now symbolize economic vulnerability.

Policy Shifts and Retaliatory Economic Measures: In response, the West enacts a series of robust measures:

Sanctions and Bans: Initially targeting Chinese goods, these measures rapidly expand into outright bans on select low-cost products.

Fostering Homegrown Industry: Governments channel investments into domestic manufacturing to reinvigorate key sectors, from renewable energy components to advanced electronics.

Seizing Foreign Investments: Russian and Chinese assets overseas—ranging from mineral rights to strategic properties—are seized, further decoupling the West from geopolitical dependencies.

These measures, driven by both economic necessity and strategic recalibration, emphasize the futility of external military confrontation. Instead, they illustrate how the unsustainable costs of dependence can force a comprehensive realignment.

IV. ANALYSIS: THE FUTILITY OF WAR

A. Economic and Humanitarian Costs

Costly Branching Paths: The escalating arms buildup and economic decoupling measures create a cycle where defense spending and domestic reindustrialization outstrip the gains of militaristic ventures. The financial, humanitarian, and environmental costs spiral, reinforcing the inherent futility of prolonged conflict.

Collateral Damage and Social Disruption: Both war and rapid economic decoupling yield side effects—ranging from widespread infrastructural damage due to drone warfare to social unrest caused by the transition away from cheap imports, underscoring that aggressive policies carry profound consequences.

B. The Paradox of Security Through Isolation

Collective Vulnerability: As NATO allies ramp up rearmament and the West severs its dependency on cheap foreign imports, a paradox emerges: the very measures intended to fortify security produce isolated, self-inflicted wounds. The resulting economic disarray reveals that aggressive decoupling is itself unsustainable in a globally interconnected market.

Mutual Deterrence Gone Awry: The proliferation of nuclear, tactical, and drone technologies creates a precarious balance where every escalation carries the risk of catastrophic miscalculation. With every nation striving for technological superiority, the incentives for cooperative diplomacy diminish.

C. Toward a New Global Consensus on Peace

Economic Recalibration as a Path to Peace: The staggering costs—monetary, human, and social—associated with both the arms race and economic decoupling eventually force a fundamental reassessment. War, in this context, reveals itself as an exercise in self-destruction.

A Return to Diplomacy: Ultimately, facing mutual ruin, global leaders may converge on the conclusion that sustainable progress is only achievable through diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and strategic economic interdependence—not through isolationist, militaristic pursuits.

V. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Reinvigorate Arms Control Dialogue:

Develop new international frameworks to address emerging warfare technologies (e.g., autonomous drones) and set limits on nuclear and tactical missile programs.

Establish Economic Resilience Initiatives:

Invest in domestic industries to reduce strategic dependencies on low-cost imports without resorting to steep protectionism that could disrupt global trade more severely.

Enhance Diplomatic Channels for Crisis Intervention:

Form crisis intervention groups to monitor rapid military escalations and economic shocks, ensuring that rapid unilateral actions do not trigger systematic breakdowns in trust.

Implement a Balanced Approach to Decoupling:

Pursue targeted economic decoupling that secures critical infrastructure and strategic sectors while maintaining avenues for mutually beneficial international trade.

Global Oversight of Foreign Investments:

Create transparent international regulations to oversee and, where necessary, restrict foreign investments that could destabilize domestic economies or finance aggressive foreign policies.

VI. CONCLUSION

This hypothetical scenario—where Ukraine’s successful defense against Russian aggression combines with a sweeping reappraisal of Western economic dependencies—presents a cautionary tale. The interplay between a high-stakes arms race, economic decoupling from cheap Chinese imports, and the seizure of adversarial assets ultimately exposes the futility of war. As nations pour resources into endless competition both on the battlefield and in the global market, the unsustainable costs become all too evident. The real triumph, therefore, lies not in military conquest or economic isolation, but in the ability to forge durable peace through cooperation, strategic economic resilience, and a shared commitment to ending destructive cycles of conflict.

In an era defined by shifting technological paradigms and interdependent economies, the lesson remains clear: war is a costly—and ultimately self-defeating—strategy, pushing humanity toward a future where the only viable path is peace.

REFINED POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Accelerated Economic Pressure

Targeted Sanctions and Financial Isolation:

Expand and Intensify Sanctions: Build on existing sanctions by targeting critical revenue streams for Russia. Include measures to freeze or seize high-value assets overseas—including investments in minerals, real estate, and critical infrastructure—that finance military operations.

Block Access to International Credits: Utilize international financial institutions to restrict Russia’s ability to borrow or refinance its debt, leveraging the narrative that its aggressive policies are unsustainable. This is especially potent given Russia’s current inability to service its international debt.

Decouple from Cheap Imports: Rapidly move to ban low-cost imports from China in strategic sectors (e.g., automobiles, solar panels, electronics) and impose tariffs that prompt a swift transition toward domestic industrial revival. This not only protects emerging industries in the West but also cuts off channels through which cheap Chinese imports have historically kept production costs—and thus external dependencies—low.

2. Covert Operations as Force Multipliers

Enhance Support for Ukrainian Covert Action:

Sabotage Intensification: Bolster support (through intelligence sharing, covert funding, and technology transfers) for Ukrainian special operations that target Russia’s military-industrial complex. The repeated destruction of high-value assets—such as bomber aircraft, oil refineries, and munitions factories—will erode the enemy’s operational capacity, thereby accelerating a war of attrition.

Precision Disruption: Coordinate intermittent, high-impact strikes while minimizing collateral damage, ensuring that each operation contributes to the gradual undermining of the adversary’s long-term war-making capability.

3. Catalyzing Internal Political Pressure

Leveraging Political Isolation and Information Warfare:

Information and Cyber Campaigns: Initiate a coordinated campaign to disseminate information highlighting economic mismanagement, unsustainable debt, and the social costs of continued aggression. These efforts should be designed to encourage dissent within Russia and China, increasing internal pressure for leadership change.

Support Opposition Groups Discreetly: Through discreet channels and with plausible deniability, provide support—both financial and technical—to independent political actors and civil society groups within Russia and China. The objective is to amplify internal calls for reform and destabilize autocratic regimes from within.

Diplomatic Isolation and Global Coalition Building:

Build a Multilateral Pressure Framework: Coordinate with NATO allies and other interested international partners to isolate aggressor regimes diplomatically. This includes emphasizing the unacceptable cost of hostile actions, the unsustainability of debt-fueled military expansion, and the broader repercussions on international trade.

Utilize Global Financial Institutions: Pressure global bodies (like the IMF and World Bank) to condition future aid and debt relief on steps toward greater military transparency and de-escalation, thereby linking economic reform with prospects for political renewal.

4. Speeding the War of Attrition

Integrated Economic and Military Strategy:

Synchronize Covert and Overt Pressure: Develop an integrated framework where economic sanctions, covert sabotage, and media campaigns are carried out in parallel. This approach would accelerate the degradation of the aggressor's capacity to wage war and force leadership decisions under increasing domestic discontent.

Militarized Economic Insulation: Redirect investments into emerging domestic industries to not only protect the economy but also to create resilient alternatives to reliance on adversary-controlled supply chains and capital flows. This strengthens Western negotiating positions while deepening the economic isolation of hostile regimes.

REFINED CONCLUSION

In this hypothetical yet instructive scenario, the combination of stringent economic sanctions, a purposeful decoupling from cheap Chinese imports, and intensive covert operations by Ukrainian forces creates a pressure cooker environment for aggressor regimes. The steadily mounting economic and military losses—exacerbated by the inability of Russia to finance its international obligations and China’s deep indebtedness—will eventually foster conditions ripe for internal political upheaval. Coupled with a coordinated international effort to undercut the strategic legitimacy and economic foundations of these regimes, the path toward change becomes unavoidable. This multifaceted strategy not only accelerates a war of attrition but, more importantly, drives home the inescapable lesson that aggression and protracted conflict exact a steep, unsustainable price, ultimately underscoring the futility of war.

China is (in effect) at the mercy of the free world. If they stop buying, the Chinese economy folds!

ABOUT THE FORMER ACTOR

The president of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Президент України, romanized: Prezydent Ukrainy) is the head of state of Ukraine. The president represents the nation in international relations, administers the foreign political activity of the state, conducts negotiations and concludes international treaties. The president is directly elected by the citizens of Ukraine for a five-year term of office (whether the presidential election is early or scheduled), limited to two terms consecutively.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who took the oath of office on 20 May 2019. Due to martial law, elections in the country have been suspended.

The president is also the supreme commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and heads the National Security and Defence Council, which advises the president, co-ordinates and controls executive power in the sphere of national security and defence. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, the president is the guarantor of the state's sovereignty, territorial indivisibility, the observance of the Constitution of Ukraine and human and citizens' rights and freedoms.

As with the separation of powers, the president has checks on the authority of parliament and the judicial system. For instance, any law passed by the parliament can be vetoed by the president; however, parliament can override their veto with a 2/3 constitutional majority vote. The president has limited authority to disband the Verkhovna Rada (parliament), and nominates candidates for the minister of foreign affairs and the minister of defence in the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers. Six out of eighteen of the Constitutional Court judges are appointed by the president. Decisions of the president are subject to review by Ukraine's courts with the Constitutional Court having the sole authority and power to declare decrees of the president unconstitutional. While in office, the president enjoys the right of immunity.

RUSSIAN PLAN TO OUST ZELENSKYY

On 26 November 2021, Zelenskyy accused Russia and Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov of backing a plan to overthrow his government. Russia denied any involvement in a coup plot and Akhmetov said in a statement that "the information made public by Volodymyr Zelenskiy about attempts to draw me into some kind of coup is an absolute lie. I am outraged by the spread of this lie, no matter what the president's motives are." In December 2021, Zelenskyy called for preemptive action against Russia. On 19 January 2022, Zelenskyy said in a video message that the country's citizens should not panic and appealed to the media to be "methods of mass information and not mass hysteria." On 28 January, Zelenskyy called on the West not to create a "panic" in his country over a potential Russian invasion, adding that constant warnings of an "imminent" threat of invasion are putting the economy of Ukraine at risk.

But that was really all down to the fact that NATO spending on their military was at an all time low, national debts high, and nobody had raised objections to the annexation of Crimea. Fatal! It was like an invitation to Putin. He grasped this engraved opportunity with both hands. Sure in the fact that when he retired, nobody else would be fool enough to take the plunge.

INVASION OF UKRAINE 24 FEBRUARY 2022

On the morning of 24 February, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was initiating a "special military operation" in the Donbas. Russian missiles struck a number of military targets in Ukraine, and Zelenskyy declared martial law. Zelenskyy also announced that diplomatic relations with Russia were being severed, effective immediately. Later in the day, he announced general mobilisation.

In the early hours of 26 February, during the most significant assault by Russian troops on the capital of Kyiv, the United States government and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged Zelenskyy to evacuate to a safer location, and both offered assistance for such an effort. Zelenskyy turned down both offers and opted to remain in Kyiv with its defense forces, saying that "the fight is here [in Kyiv]; I need ammunition, not a ride."

More than 90% of Ukrainians supported the actions of Zelenskyy, including more than 90% in western and central Ukraine and more than 80% in Russian-speaking regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. A Pew Research Center poll found that 72% of Americans had confidence in Zelenskyy's handling of international affairs.

Zelenskyy has gained worldwide recognition as the wartime leader of Ukraine during the Russian invasion; historian Andrew Roberts compared him to Winston Churchill. Harvard Political Review said that Zelenskyy "has harnessed the power of social media to become history's first truly online wartime leader, bypassing traditional gatekeepers as he uses the internet to reach out to the people." He has been described as a national hero or a "global hero" by many commentators, including publications such as The Hill, Deutsche Welle, Der Spiegel and USA Today. BBC News and The Guardian have reported that his response to the invasion has received praise even from previous critics. During the invasion, Zelenskyy has been reportedly the target of more than a dozen assassination attempts; three were prevented by tips from Russian FSB employees who opposed the invasion. Two of those attempts were carried out by the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary force, and the third by the Kadyrovites, the personal guard of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

2025 OVAL OFFICE MEETING

In February 2025, Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Trump at the White House to discuss a proposed agreement which would give the United States the right to extract rare minerals from Ukrainian soil. The meeting soon turned into a heated exchange with Trump and Vice President Vance against Zelenskyy. The planned lunch, discussions, and signing were all cancelled and Zelenskyy was evicted from the White House.

In the aftermath of the meeting, the Trump administration suspended provision of intelligence and military aid to Ukraine for around a week. The provision of aid to Ukraine was resumed after Zelenskyy agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, contingent on Russian approval (as Russia rejected the proposal, the ceasefire did not actually materialize). Russia was of course buying time to grab more Ukraine land, while being disingenuously courted by a persuasive Vladimir Putin. Trump had no chance of securing a peace deal as he had promised. Putin upped his attacks, which Zelenskyy responded to magnificently.

CYBER WW3III CAST:

  VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY IS THE TOUGH, ADAPATABLE DRONE KING, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE - IN THIS FICTIONAL POLITICAL THRILLER WHERE EXTREMIST PLOT TO EXTERMINATE ALL LIFE ON EARTH VIA A NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST - THE RISE AGAIN FROM THE ASHES TO RULE THE PLANET

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