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Authoritarian regimes wage wars not only on the battlefield, but also in people’s minds, using manipulation, lies and cutting-edge technologies. To win, democratic societies must not only defend themselves, but also shape their own information dynamics.This was emphasized by Janis Sarts, Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Center for Excellence (Riga), at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“Authoritarian systems strive to control the hearts and minds of their own people. They form information gaps in which the truth drowns,” Director Sarts said.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A2135_e7f9e2e8aa.jpeg" alt="8T5A2135.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A2135_e7f9e2e8aa.jpeg 220w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A2135_e7f9e2e8aa.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A2135_e7f9e2e8aa.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A2135_e7f9e2e8aa.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>According to him, such regimes use information tools first against their own people, and then against other countries. Their goal is to sow doubt, paralyze societies and break their will to resist.“We will not win the war if we only defend ourselves. We need to grab initiative, set our own dynamics based on values and real stories,” he emphasized.Director Sarts paid special attention to challenges posed by new technologies development: “Artificial intelligence (AI) will soon transform everything. If we do not have time to prepare, we will lose. Right now we are only defending ourselves, sometimes even successfully. But this is not enough. We need an offensive strategy.”The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Authoritarian regimes wage wars not only on the battlefield, but also in people’s minds, using manipulation, lies and cutting-edge technologies. To win, democratic societies must not only defend themselves, but also shape their own information dynamics.

You can’t win a war by remaining in a permanent defence – NATO’s Strategic Communications Director

<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Whats_App_Image_2025_05_09_at_14_37_12_5e4510df59.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2025-05-09 at 14.37.12.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Whats_App_Image_2025_05_09_at_14_37_12_5e4510df59.jpeg 234w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Whats_App_Image_2025_05_09_at_14_37_12_5e4510df59.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Whats_App_Image_2025_05_09_at_14_37_12_5e4510df59.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Whats_App_Image_2025_05_09_at_14_37_12_5e4510df59.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>Responsibility for the crime of military aggression against Ukraine must be borne not only by the Kremlin’s head, Vladimir Putin, but also by the Russian people, who support his actions and thus participate in the war against the Ukrainian State.This was the message by Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, Prime Minister of Ukraine (2014-2016), at the 17 th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE WORLD AGGRESSOR”.“We must know: this war concerns not only Putin. We are talking about the Russian people and the deeply rooted causes that prompted Putin to attack Ukraine. Russians have always hated Ukrainians. Russians have always tried to eradicate the Ukrainian nation. This began during the Russian Empire - hundreds of years ago. And when it comes to Putin, he in fact only reflects the feelings and attitudes of many Russians. So, they also must bear full responsibility for everything that Putin and his regime commit,” he said.Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasized that the invasion of Ukraine was carried out by the Russian army and the Russian people. “And who is killing Ukrainians in the occupied territories? Ordinary Russians,” he said.The Forum Chairman stressed that the Kremlin managed to impose his rules on a vast part of the world. “He managed to cooperate with other tyrants, with other totalitarian regimes, in particular with China. And to be honest, I can’t even imagine why the new US Administration believes they can somehow apply an opposite strategy to how Henry Kissinger worked. This will never happen,” he emphasized.At the same time, according to Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the axis of evil that has been formed in the past years poses a very real threat to the United States. “President Xi came to the Red Square today, May 9, for the whole world to see and to send a signal to the Oval Office: Mr. President Trump, we are friends of steel… But if Putin is not stopped, or if Putin, together with China, North Korea, Iran, and other axis of evil states, is capable to impose a new world order, then there will be no more place in it for the leader of the free world, that is, for the United States of America,” he concluded.The Kyiv Security Forum, founded by Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss problems of war and peace, national and world security.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasized that the invasion of Ukraine was carried out by the Russian army and the Russian people

Arseniy Yatsenyuk: Russians must Bear Full Responsibility for Everything Putin
Commits

Jeremy Bransten, Radio Liberty/ Radio Free Europe Regional Director argued that at the backdrop of financial crisis, the organization is forced to curtail projects, furlough its employees and suspend activities in certain areas. At the same time, he stressed the critical importance of independent broadcasting at wartime.He shared his vision online at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”. &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/1_V0_A2108_ef9c177b0f.jpeg" alt="1V0A2108.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_1_V0_A2108_ef9c177b0f.jpeg 234w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_1_V0_A2108_ef9c177b0f.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_1_V0_A2108_ef9c177b0f.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_1_V0_A2108_ef9c177b0f.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>“We continue to work in Ukraine - in Kyiv, Lviv and other cities, often risking our lives. But now we live on the money we have once saved. And the issue of us being able to keep going is a matter of weeks,” said Jeremy Bransten.According to him, some employees have already been forced to go on furloughs, whereas some departments, in particular, a special unit covering refugees’ issues, has been put on hold. Freelance services have also been reduced. Radio Liberty Regional Director also reported that the Board of Directors received preliminary approval from the Appeals Court, Washington, D.C., to disburse funding for April but the money has not yet arrived.“We are not a commercial company. Our mission is to provide people with a true picture of the world, especially when it comes to survival of democracy. Without us, media space can be completely occupied by Russia, China or Iran,” he emphasized.According to his estimates, these countries spend between $7 and $10 billion a year on their own information campaigns — ten times more than combined budgets of Radio Liberty and Voice of America.The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Jeremy Bransten, Radio Liberty/ Radio Free Europe Regional Director argued that at the backdrop of financial crisis, the organization is forced to curtail projects, furlough its employees and suspend activities in certain areas. At the same time, he stressed the critical importance of independent broadcasting at wartime.

Radio Liberty Should Not Disappear - Regional Director for Eastern Europe Bransten

European institutes must prevent disappearance of media outlets such as Radio Liberty, because quality journalism is today a ready-made weapon in the battle against disinformation.This idea was shared by Olga Rudenko, Editor-in-Chief, Kyiv Independent, at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“We already have a team, distribution, platforms, audience trust. This is what decades have been spent on. And this is our strong weapon against disinformation,” she emphasized.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A2340_4a37aaf21f.jpeg" alt="8T5A2340.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A2340_4a37aaf21f.jpeg 234w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A2340_4a37aaf21f.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A2340_4a37aaf21f.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A2340_4a37aaf21f.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>The journalist added that Kyiv Independent audience (according to her, about 80 thousand people) “want honest stories and believe that this must be done.”“If Europe fails to support independent media, we will simply lose the center of gravity of trust in journalism. Then, the information field will be occupied by others — those who do not tell the truth,” Olga Rudenko concluded.&nbsp;The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

European institutes must prevent disappearance of media outlets such as Radio Liberty, because quality journalism is today a ready-made weapon in the battle against disinformation.

Kyiv Independent Editor-in-Chief: Quality Journalism is a Weapon against Disinformation

Pro-Russian information campaigns in Lithuania are purposefully undermining trust in mainstream media, including through social media and campaigns against journalists.&nbsp;This was voiced by Indre Makaraitīte, journalist, Head of Investigation Unit, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“In 2018, we saw how groups of activists - organizers of continuous protests on any topic - systematically work to destabilize. Their goal was to devalue mainstream media,” the journalist noted.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A2227_e81375d488.jpeg" alt="8T5A2227.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A2227_e81375d488.jpeg 244w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A2227_e81375d488.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A2227_e81375d488.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A2227_e81375d488.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>According to her, the central slogan of such movements was: “Don’t trust the mainstream media. Because of this, all journalists, especially those involved in investigations, came under pressure”.Indre Makaraitīte noted that it is difficult to prove the benefits of standard journalism, because journalists try to present all sides of the conflict, but this is often perceived as “voicing the government’s position.” “The objective behind such actions is to make believe that journalists are biased, that they are part of the system. And this is a very dangerous trend,” she concluded.&nbsp;The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Pro-Russian information campaigns in Lithuania are purposefully undermining trust in mainstream media, including through social media and campaigns against journalists. 

LRT Journalist: The Goal of Russian Information Attacks is to Undermine Trust in Journalism

Closing down or curtailing operation of such corporations as “Radio Liberty” and “Radio Free Europe” is the loss of a valid and truthful information source that neither social networks nor individual initiatives can replace.This was the key message of Vitaliy Portnikov, author and journalist at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR’, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.In his opinion, the concept of “Radio Liberty” broadcasts was a real breakthrough in journalism in the 20th century. Unlike classic foreign broadcasts, revealing their respective countries to overseas audiences, this corporation “presented people the truth about their own country when it was not available in local media.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A2282_a5ecc6fba5.jpeg" alt="8T5A2282.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A2282_a5ecc6fba5.jpeg 234w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A2282_a5ecc6fba5.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A2282_a5ecc6fba5.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A2282_a5ecc6fba5.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>“This is on the par with the Gutenberg printing press invention. Our broadcasts were aimed at the Poles in times of Poland during Solidarity, at the Ukrainians about Ukraine during the People’s Movement, not to mention broadcasts in the communist era. This was the truth that no one else could voice to people,” Vitaliy Portnikov emphasized.He also recalled Soviet times, when such broadcasts were heartily opposed at the state level. In particular, Moscow University even offered special courses for defence information professionals on how to counter Radio Liberty narratives.At the same time, Vitaliy Portnikov emphasized that even the best journalists with influential accounts on social networks cannot replace the value and experience of the corporation as a standard and trust bearer.&nbsp;“This corporation is not just a platform, it is a sterling standard. “The United States backed us - as a democracy-promoting state. If Europe wants a strong democracy, it needs to create something of the kind, to become as strong, authoritative and influential,” the journalist believes.The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Closing down or curtailing operation of such corporations as “Radio Liberty” and “Radio Free Europe” is the loss of a valid and truthful information source that neither social networks nor individual initiatives can replace.

Radio Liberty was Backed by State Fostering Democracy - Portnikov

Russia can lose its war of aggression and it must be defeated.This idea was shared by Luisa Roivas, Member if the Estonian Parliament at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR", organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“We want Ukraine to win this war, we want Ukraine to be supported not with a pinch of caution or within some limits, but totally and completely,” she argued.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A1979_ff10cc7448.jpeg" alt="8T5A1979.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A1979_ff10cc7448.jpeg 235w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A1979_ff10cc7448.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A1979_ff10cc7448.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A1979_ff10cc7448.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>According to Luisa Roivas, Russia can lose its war of aggression and it must be defeated. Beneficial developments for this country then will ensue.&nbsp;“We and our allies must do this together,” the MP said. In her opinion, in defense issues Europe should take the leadership role jointly with Ukraine.The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Russia can lose its war of aggression and it must be defeated.

Estonia Advocates Total Support and Victory for Ukraine - MP Roivas

Not only does Europe give Ukraine a chance, but Ukraine gives Europe a chance as well to rise again as a real geopolitical player.Sławomir Sierakowski, Editor-in-Chief, Krytyka Polityczna, shared his vision at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Discover Ukraine”.According to the Editor-in-Chief, “Poles are not perfect, but they understand that these are difficult times.” At the same time, he noted that now, at the time of election campaign, one can observe that pro-Ukrainian stance is not so vocal.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A1863_2845c3d51f.jpeg" alt="8T5A1863.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A1863_2845c3d51f.jpeg 234w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A1863_2845c3d51f.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A1863_2845c3d51f.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A1863_2845c3d51f.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>“I am absolutely certain that Donald Tusk and Radosław Sikorski are completely pro-Ukrainian politicians, more than anyone else in Europe, perhaps. Therefore, I do not fear any absence of a pro-Ukrainian majority in the Government or general public,” said Sławomir Sierakowski.Specifically, he emphasized that Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, is a seasoned European politician who has always been pro-Ukrainian.“I believe that not only does Europe give Ukraine a chance, but Ukraine also gives Europe a chance to rise as a real geopolitical player again. Europeans look at Ukraine as their own mirror reflection, and see a serious partner there,” added the Editor-in-Chief.&nbsp;The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Not only does Europe give Ukraine a chance, but Ukraine gives Europe a chance as well to rise again as a real geopolitical player.

Editor-in-Chief, Krytyka Polityczna: I do not fear absence of pro-Ukrainian majority in the Polish government and society

Ukraine has shown that it is committed to defend democratic values: when the martial law is over, the European Union should help Ukraine adhere to democratic processes during elections.This was emphasized by Marcin Walecki, Senior Resident Country Director, National Democratic Institute in Ukraine, at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.“I am optimistic about the war in Ukraine… Ukraine has shown that it is committed to defend democracy,” he said.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A2413_10df49ff59.jpeg" alt="8T5A2413.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A2413_10df49ff59.jpeg 238w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A2413_10df49ff59.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A2413_10df49ff59.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A2413_10df49ff59.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>According to Marcin Walecki, there are several key elements for a democratic future, the first of which is free elections. “It is going to be the most difficult elections in Europe,” he pointed out.He also reminded that elections in Ukraine will be held only after the martial law is over, and it will be extremely important for the European Union to provide assistance to Ukraine in terms of adhering to democratic processes. Another element important for the future, according to Marcin Walecki, is real expectations in the context of Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.“We cannot apply the same accession processes that we used in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and the Balkans. Ukraine is doing this under enormous attacks of disinformation... we need to be together with Ukraine, not just assessing it from outside,” he stressed.In this context, the Senior Resident Country Director, NDI, Ukraine added that the European Union needs to take care of “corrupt populist regimes inside, as they are going to be an obstacle to Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO.”"Ukraine has shown that it is committed to and knows how to defend democracy. “I am confident that there is a sufficient level of political dialogue, unity, understanding and respect for political pluralism... I am more concerned about the state of democracy in the EU,” he concluded.The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Ukraine has shown that it is committed to defend democratic values: when the martial law is over, the European Union should help Ukraine adhere to democratic processes during elections.

Free elections and support for Ukraine in European integration processes will determine democratic future – Walecki

Patsy Widakuswara, White House Bureau Chief, Voice of America claimed that independent international media outlets funded by the US government are jeopardized because of political decisions of the Donald Trump Administration.She shared this opinion at the 17th Annual Kyiv Security Forum “UA: UNITE AGAIN TO DEFEAT THE GLOBAL AGGRESSOR”, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.The journalist emphasized that now she is fighting not only to defend her own professional standing, but for the very existence of independent international journalism, bracing itself to counter disinformation campaigns of authoritarian regimes.<figure class="image"><img src="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/8_T5_A2167_18529536ac.jpeg" alt="8T5A2167.jpeg" srcset="https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_8_T5_A2167_18529536ac.jpeg 234w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_8_T5_A2167_18529536ac.jpeg 500w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_8_T5_A2167_18529536ac.jpeg 750w, https://ksf-openukraine.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_8_T5_A2167_18529536ac.jpeg 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>“I am here not as a VOA representative, but as a journalist who, together with Reporters Without Borders and a team of lawyers, goes to court to challenge rulings that endanger our newsrooms… Good journalism requires resources. And now we experience attempts by political forces to destroy and kill what their opponents failed to achieve. The RT editorial office stated: “We haven’t succeeded in closing down the VOA, but the Americans did it for us,” she explained.According to Patsy Widakuswara, VOA enjoys more than 16 million English-speaking listeners worldwide, including not only women in Afghanistan or farmers in Africa, but also influential representatives of the Global South who may become victims of disinformation from Russia and China.Chinese state media, she said, have also reacted most lively to shrinking American media: “They compared us to a dirty rag that the US government threw away at its own willing.”Of particular concern are attempt by other media players to replace independent broadcasters by their home-grown programs, which, according to the journalist, are nothing but mere propaganda.“We witness hijack attempts on our audiences. One anchor stated pointblank that it is he who’s now the new Voice of America,” the journalist added.&nbsp;The Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s Open Ukraine Foundation, is the main platform in this country to discuss issues of war and peace, national and global security.

Patsy Widakuswara, White House Bureau Chief, Voice of America claimed that independent international media outlets funded by the US government are jeopardized because of political decisions of the Donald Trump Administration.