Donald Trump infamously said to Zelensky of Ukraine “you don’t hold any cards” when he was trying to bully Zelensky into surrendering territory in exchange for Russia’s agreement to stop attacking. Zelensky became a hero by refusing to be bullied by Trump. Some in the American Press portrayed Zelensky as being corrupt for standing up to Donald Trump. We have to laugh at that. We have some world class corrupt politicians in the United States. We can look no further than Joe Biden who became a multi-millionaire in government service.
So why is Trump doing Putin’s bidding? Does he think if he can get Zelensky to surrender, in order to get Russia to stop attacking, he might get nominated for the Noble Peace Prize? Is he willing to throw Ukraine under the bus for vanity purposes? Trump’s meeting with Putin, without Zelensky, would make a good title to a news article, “The Bully and the Butcher Meet to Decide How to Dismember Zelensky”. What is Trump thinking? Is this a meeting to decide how to force Ukraine to surrender? And why pick Alaska for the meeting place? Did not Putin say he would like to have Alaska back? What if Putin likes what he sees in Alaska? Would he say the Tzar stole Alaska from the Russian People, sold it to the United States, and pocketed the money? What if Putin says he wants Alaska back? Would Trump give it to Russian if they promise not to invade Alaska?
Trump’s “You Don’t Hold Any Cards” comment has come back to haunt him. The Ukrainians have proven resourceful in attacking the Russians and have done a lot of damage to Russia’s ability to make war. Russia has been bogged down for three years trying to conquer Ukraine. With a little help from Ukraine’s friends, I think Russia might retreat. I am not sure I would class the United States as Ukraine’s friend right now. It seems the policy of the United States is to advocate for Russia. Russia is attacking civilians while Ukraine is attacking their military. Trump is letting Russia decide how the war is conducted while using withholding of weapons from Ukraine to keep them from attacking the civilian population in Russia. The Russian’s need more pain for supporting the “Butcher of Russia”.
Most European Nations oppose ceding Ukranian Territory to Russia. Let us hope they continue to be united against Trump and Putin’s evil designs. It should be obvious to everyone that giving Russia Ukrainian Territory would not stop their aggression very long. They would soon want the rest of Ukraine and other nearby nations as well. Putin is in a vulnerable position right now. He is bankrupting Russia with this long war. He is sustaining heavy military losses. He cannot replace troops from Russian and must resort to hiring mercenaries. Donald Trump could put a world of hurt on Russian by putting massive sanctions on them. Why doesn’t Trump do that? Without sanctions the only cards Trump holds is to bully Ukraine. If Europe and Ukraine stay united against Trump, will Trump have any cards?
This is an opinion blog for Conservatives and People of Faith.