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The Issue: President Trump and Vladimir Putin’s Alaska summit, which ended with no agreement.
It’s clear President Trump left Alaska as the loser (“Putin & Trump on path to peace,” Aug. 16).
It was a loss for Trump, and a loss for Ukraine.
In a sign of complete subservience, Trump actually rolled out a red carpet to welcome Vladimir Putin, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Robert LaRosa
Whitestone
It is not entirely accurate that Trump walked away from the Alaska summit empty-handed.
Although Vladimir Putin rejected a cease-fire, the indicted war criminal — masterfully stroking Trump’s ego — endorsed the narrative that there would be no war if Trump, not former President Joe Biden, had won the 2020 election.
Knowing full well that Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine began long before the 2022 full-scale invasion, the Trump administration is deliberately avoiding the hard truth: This is Putin’s war, not Biden’s or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s.
Jim Paladino
Tampa, Fla.
I believe Trump showed real leadership as a peacemaker in his meeting with Putin.
Trump was a gracious host, as well as a strong world leader. He showed Putin the red carpet, and also gave him a hint of American strength by having the military planes do a flyover.
The fact that Putin rode in the presidential limousine showed the world that Trump is in charge.
Tawsif Anam
Madison, Wis.
Why should the Ukrainians give up anything to make a deal with Putin?
Russia invaded Ukraine, kidnapped almost 20,000 children and continues to destroy factories, housing, schools, infrastructure and hospitals — even during the summit.
President Trump wants an end to the fighting, but it should be at the expense of the Russians — not the Ukrainians.
Gary Layton
Interlaken, NJ
As a second-generation Ukrainian-American, I was appalled to see Putin, a genocidal war criminal, given a red carpet greeting upon his arrival on American soil. This was an unusually warm reception for an enemy of the United States.
I am disappointed with Trump’s ongoing attempts to solve the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Vague, ever-changing deadlines and threats of sanctions have achieved nothing.
Ihor Stelmach
South Windsor, Conn.
These endless “peace talks” are an insult to Ukrainians. Ukraine is an invaded country, yet it is being treated disrespectfully and receiving no support from our government by being left out of these vital discussions.
President Trump has repeatedly squandered all opportunities to push truly hard sanctions against Russia and put his foot down. Instead, he is kissing Putin’s feet.
Susan Cienfuegos
New Rochelle
Putin knew how to play Trump with flattery, saying he would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump was elected in 2020.
Trump caved and said there would be no ceasefire deal. He also agreed to work for a final peace deal without any change in Putin’s position.
Will Trump try to pressure Zelensky into giving Putin what he wants now?
In this case, it seems very likely that Trump will pursue Putin’s aims, no matter the cost to American prestige.
George Magakis Jr.
Norristown, Pa.
Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska was an orchestrated farce from the beginning. Neither world leader had any intention of ending the war.
Leaders want wars to go on forever because war glorifies them politically and periodic negotiations convince gullible citizens that the war is on the brink of ending.
Trump wanted to salvage the credibility he lost when he promised to end the war on “day one,” and Putin wanted to drum up capitalist investment in his country to save it from its declining economy.
Kimball Shinkoskey
Woods Cross, Utah
Instead of meeting with our NATO allies and putting pressure on Putin, Trump went to Alaska and licked Putin’s boots. What an absolute disgrace.
Hank DePerro
Manhattan
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