In our latest short Chatting the Pictures video podcast, we examine a powerful AP photograph of Ukrainian soldier Andriy Rublyuk that captures both his personal sacrifice and Ukraine’s growing isolation. The image draws attention to Rublyuk’s expression, the weapon he holds, and his prosthetic hooks, creating an arresting visual that challenges the viewer. Our analysis also considers the space surrounding him, which evokes a sense of entrapment and highlights Ukraine’s abandonment on the global stage. We close by reflecting on the ultimate irony of his story—his decision to return to combat despite everything he’s endured.
Evgeniy Maloletka took this photo for AP.
» Watch the full video now to see how this image is a visual indictment of U.S. policy towards Ukraine. «
More Arresting Photos
This photo, taken at a Manhattan rally marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, captures a scene of determined global solidarity—starkly at odds with the political U-turn evident in Washington. Amid official deflection and blame—echoes of “Trump’s priority is peace” or “Ukraine never should have started it”—the message scrawled across the protester’s coat cuts to the quick of Russian aggression and the refusal of the administration to hold Moscow responsible.
This photo from a Dublin protest, far from Ukraine’s borders, highlights how the conflict has mobilized Ukrainian communities and supporters around the world. At its center, a woman in traditional folk attire—a vivid vyshyvanka and elaborate floral headdress—embodies Ukraine’s cultural heritage and resilience.
Behind her, a harsh anti-Putin poster provides a jarring contrast to her composed, traditional presence. This visual clash underscores the reality Ukrainians face today: forced to protect not only their territory, but their identity and traditions in the face of aggression. As UNESCO documents the widespread destruction of Ukraine’s cultural sites, the image powerfully reminds us that what’s at stake in this war is much deeper than land—it’s the survival of a people and their culture.
Senator Merkeley’s bold display of Ukraine’s flag during Trump’s State of the Union address stands as a telling act of protest, calling attention to how thoroughly support for Ukraine has been cast aside.
Nathan Howard’s tightly cropped image of Zelensky’s departure from the White House captures a raw moment of political isolation and personal anguish. Taken just after the unprecedented Oval Office confrontation on February 28, 2025—where Trump and Vance berated Zelensky for “disrespect” and demanded concessions in exchange for continued aid—the close framing locks our attention on Zelensky’s expression, making his vulnerability in that moment impossible to ignore.
Remember the right-wing chant during the Iraq War, “These colors don’t run?”
On the very same day that Trump and Vance were bullying Zelensky on live television, a very different story of American involvement unfolded in Kyiv. There, the funeral of U.S. Marine Corps veteran and volunteer medic Ethan Hertweck offered a profound counterpoint. At just 21, Hertweck—his casket draped in both American and Ukrainian flags—laid down his life for the ideals of freedom and solidarity.
Hertweck’s journey was deeply personal: he traveled to Ukraine soon after Russia’s full-scale invasion, first assisting women and children fleeing the war. After returning briefly to the U.S., he undertook combat medical training, then rejoined the front as a medic. He lost his life near Avdiivka in December 2023 while trying to save a wounded comrade. The solemn procession through Kyiv, with Ukrainian soldiers bearing his casket, underscores the respect and gratitude shown to a foreign volunteer who chose to fight for their freedom.
The American and Ukrainian flags united in the ceremony underscore a level of solidarity that stands in stark contrast to the transactional posture of the Trump administration. Hertweck’s sacrifice highlights the widening gap between the values of those who act and the calculations of those who govern.
RIP, medic Hertweck.
This image is among the most unsettling: Ukrainian soldiers, on the front lines, are compelled to hold signs of gratitude in front of a US-supplied Bradley vehicle, their gesture staged for the cameras. Framed as a “flash mob” by the AP, the scene reveals the new, humiliating dynamic, where those risking everything for their country’s survival must publicly perform appreciation to satisfy American political demands and satiate Trump’s ego.
These images collectively tell a story of betrayal that transcends politics—they document the human cost of abandonment. From protests around the world to soldiers forced to show thanks, from acts of defiance in Congress to young volunteers giving their lives, each photo reveals a different way Ukraine has been forsaken, even as it fights for the democratic values Trump has reduced to lip service.
Chatting the Pictures is a podcast for pictures. In these 3-4 minute videos, we closely examine essential news photos complemented by related imagery. The videos feature writer and photo historian Cara Finnegan and psychologist and Reading the Pictures publisher Michael Shaw. Liliana Michelena produces CTP. You can see the archive on our legacy website and recent examples on our Instagram feed.
Chatting the Pictures is a feature of Reading the Pictures. Despite our visually saturated culture, we remain among the few sources for analyzing news photography and media images. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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