For hundreds of years Ukraine has been contested, divided and ruled by a variety of external powers. In the 1900s, they had mass suffering and death due to Stalin’s policies and then the German occupation during World War II. After years of struggle, Ukraine gained independence from Russia in 1991.
In 1994, Russia, Ukraine, the U.S. and the U.K. signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which transferred those weapons from Ukraine to Russia. The treaty specified that the countries involved will respect Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty in the existing borders. It is not surprising the thug Putin broke the treaty by illegally annexing Crimea in 2014, followed by its proxy war in the Donbas region and finally the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
What is beyond belief is our current government’s response to the conflict. In a televised meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Trump and Vice President Vance acted more like mob bosses than heads of state. Their arrogant, aggressive display of intimidation, bullying and humiliation was shocking to watch.
Trump’s emphasis on attire tells me all I need to know about Trump — all show and no substance. Previously Trump showed his utter contempt for the truth by calling Zelenskyy, not Putin, the aggressor.
That Trump dishonored our treaty obligations by halting aid to Ukraine in an apparent extortion attempt shames our country. It was a sad day for America.
Sandy Kremer
Youngwood