March 20, 2025 The Sun Bay Paper Page 14 What’s Trump up to in Ukraine? In early 2022, Russia chose Ukraine as it’s killing fields. Ukraine’s history as part of the original Soviet Union, important defensive strategic location, and rich agriculture and natural resources were important reasons, but not the only ones. Soon after the invasion, Ukraine was proudly and effectively defending the homeland. Russian forces were on their heels. I immediately wrote these comments, “Ukraine matters…… If we don’t take a stand, we must question how much we are willing to do to ensure our own freedom……Providing military armaments to Ukraine is important, and nothing should be off the table……Our response so far has been slow and smacks of indecision……” Winston Churchill is often attributed with saying, “Americans will always do the right thing, after they have tried everything else.” America is cautious and often too hesitant to make decisions. America provided much support to Ukraine, but the early opportunity, when Russia was vulnerable, was missed. It was too little too late. Russia has substantially “righted their ship” and has made considerable progress occupying portions of eastern Ukraine and has done much damage elsewhere. Trump now faces these realities: • Without US and European “boots on the ground” and heavy influx of weapons, continued Russian advances seem inevitable. • Direct participation by Europe and/or America, especially if Ukraine is admitted to NATO, will put nuclear weapon powers in direct military conflict. This would make escalation inevitable and a “world-war3-type” conflict a real possibility. • America’s attempts at isolating Russia may have pushed Putin into the arms of extremely mismatched allies. Russia is now “partnered” with China, North Korea, and Iran – a nouveau axis of evil. These are, culturally, very “strange bedfellows.” • America also has to pay close attention to developments in Israel as it promotes peace efforts between Israel and Arab countries. President Trump is unconventional in his thinking and his foreign policy relative to Ukraine and Russia certainly doesn’t exist in a vacuum. His entry into the arena of this war brought new ways of approaching the situation and predictably received push-back. Ukraine’s need for security assurances, along with these realities are responsible for Trump’s offer of a deal for “rare earth minerals.” Ukraine would supply America these valuable minerals, along with a signing cease fire and peace agreements. This would provide the U.S. valuable natural resources, and the arrangement would provide significant security assurance from the U.S. Of course, Russia would have to live with that. Erick Erickson’s recent comment rings true: “The presupposition to understanding all of Trump’s foreign policy is that China is the ultimate threat.” In that regard, we know that China hates America, and so does Russia……but probably not as much! That has positive potential implications. Trump’s actions in recent months, including those following the Trump/Zelensky “kerfuffle,” are probably consistent with his long-term international strategy. If world-wide tensions grow immensely, logic dictates that America should prefer that Putin not be solidly in “China’s corner.” Trump may be betting that Putin has similar sentiments, considering Putin can’t be very comfortable with his awkward alignment with those “strange bedfellows.” President Trump clearly believes Russia is now the “favorite” in Ukraine. When Trump saw that “Zelensky encounter” blowing up, he didn’t intervene. He needs Europe to step up, and he may have calculated the “squabble” might light a fire under European leaders – even if it damages his personal popularity. Trump “stirred the pot” and Europe ended up rallying support for Ukraine and the peace process. Trump also needs Putin’s cooperation. Perhaps the President believes if he and Putin come up with a fair and enforceable peace agreement with Ukraine, other types of mutual cooperation might fall in place. As I write this, America and Ukraine have agreed to peace talks and Trump resumed military aid and intelligence sharing. Officials are approaching Russia with offers of a cease fire and serious peace talks. That type of important development would soften the ties Russia has with China and other “partners of convenience.” I’m sure it will be a roller coaster ride of good, mixed with bad news before the parties actually sit down to serious negotiations. America has an endgame of peace, and that can sometimes be contagious. Let’s pray for the best. Steve Bakke Visit my website at myslantonthings.com Last issue’s puzzle solution to ‘OPENING PITCH’
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