Five years ago, on July 15, 2018, President Donald Trump was in Helsinki on stage with Vladimir Putin. Trump was explaining how he thought Putin was very strong in his denial about Russia meddling in the 2016 election, in spite of our intelligence agency’s assessment to the contrary.
Trump went so far as to say, “I don’t see any reason why it would be.” And that is despite the fact that Putin had a keen desire to see Trump in the White House. Trump later changed his statement to, “I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be.” Really?
Trump showed disdain for NATO when he treated it like a deadbeat tenant in one of his rental properties. He said they should pay more for their participation in the alliance, as if he had no clue about the importance of our alliance with Europe and how it strengthens our national security.
Recently, President Joe Biden was in Helsinki and he has presided over the addition of Finland and Sweden to NATO. Putin invaded Ukraine thinking that NATO would stand by as idle observers. Biden led the charge to supply Ukraine with arms and equipment to counter the Russian invasion. Trump was impeached for plotting to hold back aid to Ukraine to get them to provide dirt on Biden prior to the 2020 election.
Biden has promised continuing military aid to Ukraine and NATO support for as long as it takes. Meanwhile, far right Republicans are trying to hinder further aid to Ukraine.
The 2024 election is just around the corner and there is grave concern about election interference again. It is a foregone conclusion that Putin will not stop with Ukraine if he is not soundly defeated and pushed out of the country.
The brave Ukrainian forces are fighting for their country on their own soil. The Russians are there under duress and have no moral imperative to succeed. Our continued military support depends on who is in the White House.
Don Hiddleson, Millcreek
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