THE SELF INTERESTED PEACE BROKER IN CAHOOTS WITH THE AGGRESSOR
It’s appalling to see the President of the United States, a position previously described as the leader of the democratic world, in cahoots with a dictator destroying a democratic state and openly challenging the independence of others.
In One Day (Anyone Else Would Take Much Longer)
The single day that President Trump boasted he would need to end the conflict in Ukraine has well and truly passed. Perhaps that boast/promise was not to be taken literally, perhaps it’s not as simple as a real estate deal, or perhaps because for others it’s not simply about money and power.
Accept Imposed Defeat or Lose Everything
To date, it would appear that Trump has forgotten that the anticipated agreement to end the war needs be one between the parties at war – Russia and Ukraine with the United States as self appointed mediator. Even before Ukraine has been offered a chair at the negotiating table, Trump excludes certain outcomes having consulted with Putin. Russia will not agree to Ukraine joining NATO and will not withdraw from all territories annexed since 2014. As this sums up why Russia invaded Ukraine, which, if ultimately invited to participate, will be asked to commence negotiations by giving Russia what it wants. while hoping to retain some independence or sovereignty.
With friends like Trump, who needs enemies.
Collateral Damage without Payment
The Spoils of War
Giving the Russians what hey want and not expecting NATO countries to fill the aid-gap left by the United State’s expected withdrawal of further military aid may
well be one formula for stopping the war. It would appear that to Trump, Ukrainians, are simply collateral damage – just like tenants evicted in real estate deals. Unless, of course they pay the US to survive, by permitting the US to take half of the country’s crucial minerals. While it is true that aid to countries in need often comes with strings attached, Trump’s suggestion amounts to plunder of a country recovering from a brutal war. What’s more, such a plan is openly being planned in partnership with Russia.
Today’s news headline reads “US and Russia agree to explore ‘economic opportunities’ of ending Ukraine was as Kyiv sidelined.” A man who considers prisoners of war to be cowards, predictably does not think highly of a country in retreat.
Merely Stopping the War Would Only Delay the Inevitable
But surely the goal of reaching agreement must extend beyond the short-term freeze on territory gained by Russian. If Trump had the ideological bent that we have previously attributed to US Presidents, what would be non negotiable would be an agreement clearly sending a message that a country cannot invade its neighbour with impunity and that sovereign countries are free to protect their independence (especially from Russia).
Ronald Reagan and JFK must be turning in the graves.