I never thought we should squander our treasury on a war between Russia and Ukraine. Never made a bit of sense to me, and still does not. What this war has done is enrich our military/industrial complex, for all the equipment sent, or most of it, was our own military being depleted to supply Ukraine, and I oppose depleting our military for any nation.
IMHO, Putin is the aggressor, is wrong, and needs to be stopped. I applaud our president making an effort to bring the two leaders to the table to end this war. I also believe Zelensky is just one more rat, perhaps a different color. Ukraine was not a democracy, or should I say, no more a democracy than Russia is today. Their elections are not free and fair.
And the past history does have significance. The former USSR dominated Ukraine for a long time, as it did all the nations that broke from the USSR in 1991. And the history as has been indicated goes back prior to the USSR.
When the USSR collapsed in 1991, I am certain many questioned the need for NATO in Europe. I for one, question it today when half the member states fail miserably to fund it as agreed. The worst offender is Germany, the wealthiest nation in Europe, and they fund about 50% of what they should. Trump has been right about NATO all along. Either step up and defend yourselves, or we get out. When we are funding the lion's share, it is just wrong in my mind. I believe our contribution should drop to 10% rather than the huge 70%?
The USA has military forces in all three Baltic states. I do not see Putin attempting to take over the Baltic states with US forces there to help defend them.
I think the time has come for the USA to abandon our military bases in Germany with perhaps one exception, Ramstein, and move our forces to Poland.
I tell you, if Trump is able to bring an end to this war, it will put Putin on the hot seat, for all his troops that were promised huge bonuses, who did not receive them, they will be in the streets.
In any case, I do not see Putin as leader of Russia beyond this decade. He is 72. And by Russian standards, which are very different than ours, he is a very old man. Average life expectancy in Russia is 59. And enough Russians know the UGLY TRUTH about this war. They talk to folks in the west and get news that is directly opposite of what they have been told by Putin. Plus, the grave yards have been filling with the bodies of many dead Russians. This is not a hidden war any longer in Russia, particularly with Ukraine striking as far as 1,000 miles into Russia. This makes Putin look very weak.
I see light at the end of the tunnel regarding this conflict. I believe Trump will accomplish his goal of ending this war, perhaps with Zelensky kicking and screaming all the way to the finish line. Trump needs to ratchet up the heat on Russia as high as he can to motivate Putin to move forward too. Enough threats, just impose the sanctions already!
