Chicago Tribune readers deserve both sides of Trump Ukraine peace plan

 Chicago Tribune readers deserve both sides of Trump Ukraine peace plan

 

On most contentious issues, the Chicago Tribune letters section is careful to present divergent views. That policy serves the public interest. Unfortunately, the Trib does not follow that wise policy concerning the war in Ukraine.

 

Case in point is Ethan Feingold’s letter ‘Peace in his hands’ blasting President Trump for his alleged one sided efforts favoring Russia to end the war approaching 4 years in February.

 

Feingold finds it “nauseating” that Russia will not end the war till its “root causes” are addressed, asserting that is merely “ a thinly veiled reference to Russia’s claims that Ukraine is being led by Nazis.” While Russia has charged the Kyiv regime being Nazi infiltrated, that is not among the “root causes” that must be addressed. They include no NATO membership for Ukraine allowing NATO nukes on Russia’s borders, Ukraine neutrality between Europe and Russia, and recognition that the Donbas, which suffered 8 years of Kyiv destruction prior to the 2022 invasion, will forever be part of Russia. Unless those sensible root causes are achieved thru Trump’s proposed peace plan, Russia will continue to achieve them on the battlefield.

 

Feingold is also wrong to charge Trump’s peace plan won’t succeed because “there is no common ground between Russia and Ukraine.” That is true but ignores the battlefield reality that Ukraine is near collapse with no chance of prevailing. That is precisely why Trump has bypassed Ukraine from the peace process. Until Ukraine accepts the reality of their defeat, there is nothing to negotiate with them.

 

While Ukraine seeks to fight till the last Ukrainian soldier is dead. Trump will eventually force the Russian terms on Ukraine to end the war. This will save the remaining Ukraine rump state from further destruction, allow millions to return home and begin Ukraine’s reconstruction. That is the best outcome Ukraine can achieve

 

Of course, this is merely my take as a counter to that of Ethan Feingold. It’s puzzling the Trib ignores good journalism to prevent its readership from getting two very different views on the unfolding catastrophe in Ukraine that warrants comprehensive consideration.

 

Walt Zlotow  West Suburban Peace Coalition  Glen Ellyn IL   

substack.com/@waltzlotow