I am trying to see it from Trump's point of view and those who think he is right. He wants the US to stop funding a war. He wants the war to stop. He doesn't know how to achieve that so sort of bangs the two countries' heads together like two naughty schoolboys and says - sort it out. And I'll be a go between. But he is not equipped to do that. The Uk and others tried to reason with and appease Putin while he had troops surrounding Ukraine ready to invade. There were many talks. And then one day he just did it anyway.
The problem is Putin. Nobody wants WW3 - so it just took a lot of money to support Ukraine. And believe me, there have also been Uk residents complaining about all the money going to Ukraine when we are being taxed on all sorts and food prices are so high. But the mood has changed since the meeting with Trump and it is more outrage for Ukraine than anything now.
If you look at the maps on some articles linked earlier (I'll try and find them again), Ukraine had pushed Russia right back in the East and were holding the line, and had even taken some Russian territory in the North (someone suggested they might try and agree a territory swap but Russia said no).
Ukraine were doing really well. But now they are, as the Ukrainian minister said, "partially blinded" and unable to know what the Russians are doing to hold off the attacks. Because the intelligence was withdrawn (and now the satellite).
But Trump was being unrealistic about the seriousness of the issues involved. If he was a good diplomat he would have had more patience. Instead of being a bull in a China shop and trying to rush through something.
It was very very wrong to cease aid and intelligence to Ukraine - before he had worked harder on achieving a ceasefire. JMO
There is a lot of backstory / history behind the events going on in the US and world today (I don’t mean just Trump, but that’s obviously part of it), and America’s (or to some, just the current administration’s) changed / changing views in our role in global politics, conflicts and trade ((so again, I don’t mean just Trump, but that is obviously part of it). Some of it might (might) inform (didn’t say justify) re: ceasing aid and intelligence. Each person decides what they believe to be the truth; the why
This includes what happened between Trump and Zelensky in the White House recently. There is a lot to it (jmo)
Not only is there significant backstory that I think might be helpful to advocates of any viewpoints when it comes to America’s new posture (outside and inside the country), but a lot that explains (or at least informs) some of the individuals and personalities involved in the current situation in Ukraine, EU, US and Russia - that might (or might not!) help infirm re: viewpoints and actions. It’s obviously up to the reader to decide.
I’m not claiming that any of it answers who is right or wrong. But imo the more each side (or viewpoint) is able to see things from the other side, the more reasonable and productive discussions are in finding a solution between parties - in anything, not just global politics
For those interested and with an open mind who wish to know more (even if they disagree with it all vehemently), I would offer up two recent articles I’ve read - one that describes a jaw dropping tale of what has happened over the past 4 US presidential elections (and the administrations and deep state politics of the last 18 years) written by a well-résumé’d lawyer and author up in PA; and one re: Trump’s recent decisions re: Ukraine today (right or wrong) written by a well known conservative historian at Brookings and Stanford. One is titled ‘Trump v. Atlanticism’, and the other ‘Five Ukrainian Myths’. One is long, one is short, but they both provide background on what’s happening (again, not saying it’s right)
There is also a lot online if you dig hard enough that helps one learn about personal backstories and the relationship dynamics specifically between individuals: Trump and Zelensky and Putin going back to at least 2012. Some of the pertinent backstory includes events in Ukraine, Washington DC, and Russia during previous Ukrainian governments/administrations and their respective leaders (and their backers). There’s a lot for me to learn.
Doing such research is just a look at what happened (even if each article you read has some bias). That’s my opinion anyway. Regardless of viewpoint, I think it helps to have read as much as you can, and be as informed as possible about what has happened in the past - to better understand what is happening today.
Again, I’m not saying any of it is right or wrong, or 100 percent accurate, or justifies any behavior or decisions we are seeing today. I am willing and interested in reading any articles (not just a link to some politician’s remarks tho) or other info that others think might better hrlp inform me.
Just encouraging all interested parties (on WS and not on WS) to read and learn as much as they can. Be as informed as you can be. There’s a lot to it imo (though I’m sure some will say none of it matters to some things). I don’t pretend to know more than just a little. Everybody is welcome to their own opinion.
All jmo
