The impeachment drama has cast new light on how the Washington establishment sees America’s relationship with Ukraine. Their thinking is eerily reminiscent of the Cold War mindset.

During President Trump’s Senate trial, this perspective blurred crucial distinctions regarding the allegations. Instead of leveling an essentially nonpolitical charge against the president that he bent American foreign relations to his personal benefit, some of the president’s critics added another dimension to their accusation: They contended it was wrong for Trump to delay aid to Ukraine not only because doing so was an abuse of power, but also because aid to Ukraine is vital to U.S. national security.