OPINION:
The lack of assurance of U.S. support in the event of an attack from Russia has caused concern among NATO members. Yet despite President Trump’s equivocation regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — in fact, in defiance of him — the organization is standing firm in its support for the victim nation, along with most Americans.
One of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s goals was to weaken NATO. President Ronald Reagan’s famous practice of “peace through strength” which has for decades deterred his expansionist ambitions, is now being eroded by Mr. Trump’s practice of “peace through appeasement.” Mr. Trump’s baffling adoration of Mr. Putin has led to the prevention of Ukraine acquiring the long range missiles that could bring about an end to the war. His love seems to extend to Putin puppet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has blocked attempts of the European nations to support Ukraine while complaining that the European countries “aren’t doing enough.”
To date, the “peace proposals” have all required that Ukraine give part of its land to Russia to end the death and destruction raining down on it daily. Czechoslovakia had a similar deal imposed on it in 1938, giving the Sudetenland to Hitler in exchange for Hitler’s word that he would end his expansionist goals —just before he invaded Europe. And Neville Chamberlain then famously announced that he had achieved “peace for our time”!
Mr. Trump’s obsession with being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize has led to his repeated braggadocious claim of having resolved eight wars already. The ostensible peace agreements were the result of combinations of bullying, intimidation and offers of economic benefits. The only such tactic used with Mr. Putin has been the offer of benefits, which hasn’t worked because the only benefit Mr. Putin wants is to conquer Ukraine.
Standing in the way of that goal is the courage, fortitude and moral clarity of leaders such as Messrs. Merz, Stubb, Macron, Starmer and Ms. von der Leyen — and, most of all, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.
It’s not too late, President Trump. Support Ukraine. Release the Tomahawks!
SIDONIE MIDDLETON
Covington, Louisiana
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