Some will never laud Pres. Trump, even if he does everything right and wonderfully. So why on this horrid, ultra-problematic Ukraine situation?
But I think the current president deserves some kudos and support for “Ukraine I,” i.e., trying quickly to end that conflict, which has been so destructive to life and property there. His idea? Facilitating a deal by wringing concessions from both Zelensky and Putin.
The latter of course proving quickly how untrustworthy he is, and how he covets a “maximilist peace,” i.e., a LOT for basically zilch! Putin’s amply shown his colors, ruining laudable ceasefire attempts brokered by the U.S.
The result? Trump can no longer keep topflight war materiel from Zelensky nor scold unduly. He and coterie have tried that and it didn’t work, thanks to Putin (plus the ghastly trio of China, North Korea, and Iran, from whom the Russian leader truly benefits).
So now Trump must indeed pivot, and decisively, to Ukraine II. His only choice is to cross that Rubicon. Of course big chunks of the press and most Dems in Congress will call him a hypocrite, or just inconsistent. But changing course is no sin at all in this dicey realm.
How then to shift gears? Ironically perhaps, toward Biden II, but Biden II + (sounds like a new streaming service, I realize).
In other words, not just finito to withholding American aid from Zelensky’s Ukraine, and NOT simply to ape Biden by giving “Zel” plenty of expensive stuff, but with crippling lacunae and conditions. Time instead to go after Putin, punishing and hurting him for flouting the ceasefire mode in such cruel, unabashed fashion.
Yes, it’s critical now to give gallant Ukraine our military aid (topping up what’s proffered by the Europeans, not to mention this little country’s own drones, etc. that recently destroyed a large chunk of Russia’s bomber force). I.e., best American missiles, best aircraft, best tanks, best defensive weaponry, you name it. With no constraints attached.
Letting underdog Ukraine hit Russian territory and infrastructure with abandon? For sure. Why make the same mistake that Biden’s admin made for so long?
The nuclear worry? I concede that that’s a significant one. But if Putin goes such a ghastly route, he’ll not only ruin the prize he’s after, but his own contiguous country, too. That’ll be a Pyrrhic victory, indeed, an abominable one, and will also encourage more proliferation and bizarre behavior from rogue actors around the world.
In other words, Biden II + (on Ukraine) has become a gamble worth taking? I’d say so.
I know, I know: the Donald loathes throwing away billions for no good reason and without benefits accruing. But there IS the minerals deal, a potential biggie. Leave things go the way they are, and there won’t be a stable and independent Ukraine anymore, and those mineral rights will mean nothing.
The need for the current president to go from Ukraine I – the attempt to procure a ceasefire and peace deal as soon as possible – to something like Ukraine II is crucial; and yet another reason is the weather. Which will inexorably favor the Russians as we move deeper into summer.
Firmer ground means that their mechanized forces, especially tanks, won’t be snarled in the mud of an earlier, harsher time of year. Moreover, the filled-out leaves on the trees will now allow them some cover and camouflage from Ukrainian drone reconnaissance (coming from above), and pin-point attacks.
Yes, the Russians have absorbed a great number of casualties. But they, or more especially, Putin, don’t seem to care. This Russian leader is cut from the same cloth as those in WWII, preeminently, Stalin himself, using the secret police to hurl his men, sometimes without guns, into the fray … or else!
Inside today’s Russia, Putin has shown he doesn’t mind jailing or even killing his opponents. The sole way to bring such a man to the negotiating table in relatively good faith is now through a strong show of Ukrainian power, buoyed up by Western arms supplies of the most abundant and useful variety. Yes, by shock and awe, call it what you will.
Along with sanctions, that now seems the path toward a peace deal that Trump so properly and correctly desires.