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Donald Trump never fails to be both shameless and shameful, as his latest foray into “solving” the Russian invasion of Ukraine amply demonstrates.
The so-called “peace proposal” negotiated between the Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Trump’s real estate buddy, Steve Witkoff, is what happens when both the president and his envoy are unversed in foreign relations, history and a minimally ethical form of negotiation. What part Mr. Witkoff played in the negotiations is difficult to discern since the “proposal” appears to have been dictated by the Kremlin.
The invasion by Russia was in clear violation of both the U.N. charter and Russia’s treaty obligations to Ukraine. The unlawful invasion was conducted by Russia with repeated war crimes, and following Putin’s abortive summit with Trump in August, those war crimes against the civilian population have only expanded in scope. In short, Russia is the “bad actor” here.
The so-called “peace proposal” is totally one-sided, rewarding Russia with the Ukrainian territory it now controls and further territory it does not control. In addition, the proposal limits the size of Ukraine’s army and Ukraine’s ability to enter into alliances with other countries, both violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty. It also undermines NATO and U.S. obligations to NATO, while giving Russia complete legal and financial amnesty for its abundant war crimes. The only “security guarantee” allowed to Ukraine is the Kremlin’s word to respect its sovereignty, which is meaningless.
The Trump administration had presented this evil proposal to Ukraine on a “take it or else” basis; the “or else” being the pulling of any U.S. help for Ukraine to defend its population. Two weeks ago, he suggested he needed to put additional pressure on Zelensky and our NATO allies to accept the Russian proposal, with no mention of any pressure on the “bad actor” Putin. After a lot of work by U.S., European, and Ukrainian negotiators, a modified proposal was recently presented to Putin who ignored it. Just yesterday, after a telephone conversation with Putin, Trump said with a straight face that Putin “wants peace” and wants “Ukraine to succeed.” I would note here that Trump has repeatedly railed against and lied about the Mueller special counsel investigation that inquired into his representatives’ many ties to Russia and his own infatuation with Putin. We are well beyond doubting the need for that investigation now.
There is no rational explanation for Trump’s conduct. To use the language of spy craft, he is either a Russian asset, or can be played to advance Russian criminal goals rather than the interests of the country he leads. His appeasement of a war criminal far surpasses that of Neville Chamberlain because Chamberlain’s position had some rational basis. To listen to Trump’s drivel of the last five months on Ukraine, one has to imagine what high fives and congratulatory laughter are now taking place in the Kremlin.
The only patriotic answer to Trump’s “high crimes” is to recognize our electoral error and begin a bipartisan impeachment to remove him from the presidency once and for all.
James M. Cronin is a resident of Westport.
Thank you for such an accurate description of Trump’s deceitful and ignorant plans for Ukraine. One cannot trust what either Putin or Trump says. Their objectives are simply to acquire money and power. We cannot allow them to succeed.
Zelensky is well aware that he cannot accept any territory concessions to Russia.
He is simply doing everything possible to prevent Trump being able to say that Ukraine is an obstacle to peace. I think Russia’s latest desperate ploy, claiming Ukraine attacked Putin’s house, is proof of how successful he’s being.
Trump’s motivations are transparent. He wants his real estate deals with Russia. He’s been working on them for 30 years. Witkoff and Kushner are certainly proof of this. He cannot get what he wants while the war is going on so he wants it stopped. He cares nothing about how it ends or what comes after. He couldn’t understand the consequences even if he actually did care. He treats nations and diplomacy as any 5 year old child would.
Thank you for saying so well what so many of us have been thinking for so long.
What a dishonest take on a complex situation. Russia has more nuclear weapons than any actor in the world and has lowered their threshold for use to essentially ‘because we feel like it.’ Do we really want to push a despot with a penchant for offing anyone who doesn’t agree with him? Is Donbas worth nuclear war and possibly WW3?
It was not right that Russia invaded Ukraine, but we have to be realistic. Ukraine is incredibly corrupt, billions in aid are unaccounted for, and we’re expected to believe sending more will somehow translate into defeating Russia? Meanwhile, Europe sits on the sidelines contributing a fraction of the aid while buying Russian fuel under the table and undermining our sanctions. They want us to bankroll their regional security problem indefinitely while rejecting any peace terms that don’t meet their demands.
Russia’s military is already degraded, mission accomplished. What’s left is a European problem that Europe should solve with their own resources. We’ve been babysitting Europe’s security for 80 years while they underinvest in their own defense. At some point, America has to prioritize actual US interests over virtue signaling in someone else’s backyard. That’s not appeasement – that’s strategy
Trump is a Putin lackey and has no idea what the meaning of the word negotiation
Your welcome to your opinion but give us all a break and save the far left liberal nonsense. President Trump has done more in one year than Biden ever dreamed of doing in his four years in office. Sleepy Joe will be remember as a candidate that was promoted as the Savior, an Experienced Leader, who was going to unify our Country, but in the end was the worst president in our country’s history, not respected here or around the world, he stumbled and mumbled through four years in the White House, could barely make it through press conferences, and his own party dumped him when he froze like deer in a car’s headlights in his last debate. His reckless spending, the bogus new green deal, and no one will every forget or forgive him for his failed border policy that jeopardized our country’s security by letting millions of illegals (Criminals, Rapists, and Child Molesters) cross through his open borders. 100% save the impeachment nonsense.
Leaning right STOP STOP IT STOP using an analysis by reader Cronin re the reality of the betrayal of Ukraine which is really the betrayal of Democracy in Europe and our country by an isolationist policy by the Maga Regime at best and Moscow Putin collaboration at worse.What if the United States had abandoned Europe to the Nazi boot in WWar 2 would leaning right have abandoned them..think he would what a disgrace to all those vets who gave their lives to defend freedom .Thats what at stake w Ukraine.Our troops and civilians are not dying there Ukrainians are..we should give them every tool they need to defeat Putins,ag
gression..corruption and fraud are everywhere ..the USA is no stranger to that even in the military which which pays beaucoup bucks to military industrials above cost for supplies ..corruption is NOT an excuse to avoid defending democracy here or there.Finally Trump said he’d end war in Ukraine on day 1 well now its day 365 and wants to end it by abandoning Ukraine and .Yes Europe hasnt done enuf but id be careful what you wish for many remember the last time Germany rearmed in Europe..id say if Joe was sleepy Trump has gone into a coma!
Thank you!
Not everyone has to agree with this far left liberal nonsense, your hatred for President Trump is obvious, but Joe Biden had 4 years and did nothing to resolve the Ukraine War. No one respected Joe Biden then and no one respects him now, his presidency was solely responsible for the death of the Democrat Party, and now the new far left liberal party is a complete disaster (who is going to take the lead AOC, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, maybe Mamdani will jump in after he destroys New York). With 3 more years of Donald Trump you better save up those crocodile tears, I am sure you and your cheerleader below will need them.
Thank you George the worst and corrupt President has been Trump yes Trump has gone into a coma will be in a coma for 3 more years. Thanks to Trump we have high Tariffs on many countries any Tariffs on Russia.