Trump's firm hand with Zelensky has forced real movement toward ending the Ukraine war on terms that weaken Putin without writing another blank check to NATO or Kyiv. After years of aimless escalation under prior leadership, this thaw shows American leverage can deliver battlefield gains for Ukraine while extracting commitments that protect U.S. interests first. The Constitution grants the president authority over foreign affairs precisely to secure the nation's safety and commerce, not to underwrite indefinite European conflicts through unchecked executive spending. Limited government demands restraint abroad so resources stay focused on defending the republic rather than subsidizing distant stalemates. Trump's approach revives the founders' preference for peace through credible strength over endless entanglement.