Since it appears that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not share President Donald Trump’s ideas for pursuing peace in Ukraine, it may be time for a new strategy. If Putin’s ultimate objective is to rebuild the old Soviet Union empire, we have big problems. However, I believe that Putin realizes that the Russian economy can’t be prosperous on its own and therefore needs outside resources, which is much like the situation Japan faced in the late 1930s. Threats and sanctions may push Putin to pursue an even more aggressive policy, which ultimately could lead to an armed conflict or, heaven forbid, a nuclear war.
Therefore, instead of threats, how about Trump and our European allies try asking Putin what resources he needs for the Russian economy to be more successful and its people more prosperous? I’m not suggesting appeasement, but rather offering economic assistance, which given the present uncertainties is certainly preferable to war.
— Dan Schuchardt, Wheaton
Advice on Ukraine
Here are suggestions for President Donald Trump:
- NATO brings Ukraine in as a member immediately.
- NATO informs Russian President Vladimir Putin that there must be an immediate ceasefire and he has two weeks to remove his military from Ukraine.
If that isn’t done:
- NATO will put troops in Ukraine to fight, and the United States will make its full military arsenal of weapons available to NATO while striking military targets in Russia.
- There will be severe economic sanctions.
— John Koomjohn, Oswego, Illinois
Bolster our support
Another meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin with no ceasefire and no apparent help for Ukraine. It’s time to admit that these talks are a part of Putin’s strategy to continue dangling a carrot, just out of reach, to buy more time for his military to overrun more of Ukraine.
In a recent interview, retired Gen. Wesley Clark recognized this, as well as Putin’s likely intention to begin edging into the Baltic countries, daring NATO to escalate his war. Other territories that once were a part of imperial Russia and the Soviet Union will be equally at risk.
The only sane thing to do at this point, it seems, is to bolster our military support for Ukraine and tell Putin that there will be no more talks until he is ready to make major concessions. If we don’t do that, we are simply playing along with his game.
— David Haeckel, Chicago
NATO, toughen up
Russian President Vladimir Putin is very clear; he wants a big chunk of Ukraine to be part of Russia. This is the chief aim of the war he launched. His quest to make Russia great again is what gives meaning to his life. To achieve this aim, he will not bend or compromise, as he intends that it be his legacy.
It is time for NATO to stiffen its spine and go all in with aid for Ukraine. Ukraine now understands that President Donald Trump does not have the stiff spine needed to resist Putin. Trump is on track to become the Neville Chamberlain of the current era as he tries to sell a phony “peace in our time” deal to Ukraine and the European “coalition of the willing.”
NATO originally arose to resist the imperial ambitions of the Soviet Union. Putin wants NATO to disappear, but it is now clear that NATO must be further strengthened and that it must support Ukraine before it is swallowed up.
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— Ronald Kallen, Highland Park
Selling out Ukraine
After we watched the president of the United States clapping upon greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, you can be sure the result will be the same old story since biblical days. The brave Ukrainian people will be sold out for 30 pieces of silver. Russia will end up with an important portion of Eastern European land, and the Ukrainians’ friend in Washington will end up with a pocket full of currency.
— Richard J. Aronson, Highland Park
What Putin wants
Just as Russian President Vladimir Putin played President Donald Trump, Trump now has played Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. No ceasefire; more talking. What about next week? Next month?
All of this plays perfectly into Putin’s hands. More fighting; more land seized. Europe and the U.S. should demand an immediate ceasefire or promise the stiffest sanctions possible, equip Ukraine with all the weapons it needs and make Ukraine a NATO member.
Putin recognizes only strength, something the West is sorely lacking.
— Art Cerf, Park Ridge
Bravo to our allies
God bless our European allies who dropped everything to fly to Washington recently in order to present a united front along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. They know how important it is for all freedom-loving democracies, especially those in Europe and North America, to stand with Ukraine as Ukrainians fight for their very survival against the Russian horde that has invaded their sovereign land.
The United States has always stood as a beacon to freedom-loving people around the world, and we must not let President Donald Trump and his unholy alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin change that. We all know that Trump has a fondness for dictators and bad actors in general. That is why it is imperative that we take a stand to let him know what we want America to stand for and to educate him on the fact that it is in our best interest as well as that of Europe and the world at large. It is naive to think that Putin would stop there if Ukraine were to fall. His appetite for conquest would likely involve a NATO country next, which would then involve all other NATO countries, including the U.S., in direct conflict with Russia with boots on the ground.
Ukraine is fighting valiantly against its invaders and is deserving of our steadfast support along with our NATO allies. As we learned with Adolf Hitler in World War II, appeasement is not an option when dealing with a dictator bent on conquest and expansion.
— Jim Marchert Sr., Joliet
Campaign for prize
It is so interesting to read letters (Aug. 21) echoing and extolling President Donald Trump as a worthy recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize. Go back several weeks of newspapers, and it’s clear the suggestion came from Trump himself. Do you not think it unseemly that he is prodding the public to repeat that, in order to seem more worthy?
I have never, ever read of a recipient who spent time and energy publicly extolling himself. The committee might be a bit annoyed and perhaps more eager to explore other candidates who are more modest and dedicated to their jobs and less fixated on grand titles.
— Joanne Hoffman, Highland Park
A fate not their own
Regarding the editorial “What Justice Barrett’s words on disagreement can teach us” (Aug. 19): Sorry, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, but Americans must be morally outraged every single day, and you are part of the problem.
Coney Barrett has been against women’s freedoms. What’s more, she challenged the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to 50 million Americans. In 2022, she voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Judges and lawyers can argue without contempt because they debate a fate not their own. It’s personal for Americans watching the democracy they’ve relied on slip away.
— Kris Dickson, Chicago
Record of decisions
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s encouragement and practice of polite discourse and respect for other people’s opinions are very nice. However, these pale in comparison to her horrid record of decisions as a Supreme Court justice. The majority of her decisions support the worst of what is happening in our country and threaten the legal rights and protections of our Constitution.
— Allen Schwartz, Chicago
Criticism of Ramirez
I attended U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez’s town hall for constituents Tuesday evening in Chicago. I asked for her perspective on the MAGA attacks on public officials such as her and how we, her constituents, could better support her. I pointed out that if she is not safe, she cannot do her job to keep us safe. I said that the recent editorial about her (“Words matter when you’re elected to represent America, congresswoman Ramirez,” Aug. 6) was “wrong and irresponsible” and that the Tribune Editorial Board should be supporting public servants like her. The town hall crowd received my comments with strong clapping and appreciative hoots and hollers.
With sentiment against immigrants and diversity, equity and inclusion taking over our government, Ramirez advises that we embrace and celebrate diversity. This is easy for me. I find comfort and joy in the richness of America’s diversity. But white people should do more. We should acknowledge and protect the contributions of people who are not white. We should speak out when we see nonwhite people treated as lesser, suspect or irrelevant.
As a citizen, I question the patriotism and loyalty of public officials at the highest levels of our government as they cozy up to Russia and run roughshod over our Constitution. It is not patriotic to whitewash and man-wash American history, cultural institutions and prominent military offices to secure power. Yet, my local newspaper focuses attention on Ramirez’s positive feelings for Guatemala as a problem. Russia is a top threat to our country’s interests; Guatemala is not.
The attacks on Ramirez make a mountain out of a molehill, based on a questionable translation of her Spanish words. Why? She dissents and rightly questions the competence and humanity of federal officials such as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
I sign off in dissenting solidarity with Ramirez.
— Lisa Jean Walker, Chicago
Stop gerrymandering
I was able to vote in my first election because a constitutional amendment lowered the age to vote. After decades of no new amendments, it is time to use the process to ban gerrymandering and stop the partisan complaints and tricks to steal elections.
— Dave Hubert, Yorkville, Illinois
Threats to my rights
I am an American. Gerrymandering and voter suppression are threats to my rights and those of all Americans.
As an American, I support and revere the U.S. Constitution, the framework of our government that is of the people, by the people and for the people. I do not agree with all laws and actions taken under the rule of law, but I continue to hold myself accountable to the rule of law. I also hold fast to my rights as an American under the rule of law: the right to have a say in our government, the right to vote and the right to have my vote counted.
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I want to remain an American with all rights intact. We cannot let these important rights be lost through inattention or lack of effort to counter the current threats of gerrymandering and voter suppression.
You can do something! Remind friends, family and community of what approval of these actions will mean. Insist our federal and state lawmakers take actions to prevent gerrymandering and voter suppression.
It is critical to who and what we are as Americans.
— Sandra J Burk, Elmhurst
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].