Opinion: A Trump Peace Plan for Ukraine: A Vision for Victory and Stability

[Social Media]

 

Among the essentials are a lend-lease program, real sanctions on Russia, and a revitalized NATO. Pundits claim that if Donald Trump is re-elected, he will cut off aid to Ukraine, give away its territory, and deal directly with Vladimir Putin to impose an ignominious “peace” on the country.

 

There’s no evidence that such capitulation will be part of President Trump’s policy and much evidence to the contrary. It was Mr. Trump who in 2017 lifted the Obama administration’s arms embargo on Ukraine, providing it with the Javelin missiles that helped save Kyiv in the earliest days of Russia’s invasion. More recently, Mr. Trump gave political cover to House Speaker Mike Johnson when he maneuvered to pass additional military aid. Helping Ukraine while revitalizing the American defense industrial base in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Virginia is good policy—and good politics.

 

The Biden administration’s weakness has left Ukraine where it is today: two years into a full-scale war, with cities destroyed, hundreds of thousands killed, millions of refugees, and without the means to win. The White House has no strategy for victory, and Americans are rightly concerned. While Mr. Biden stumbled into war through weakness, Mr. Trump could re-establish peace through strength. Here’s how a successful plan for Ukraine might look:

 

Unleash America’s energy potential. This will fire up the U.S. economy, drive down prices and shrink Mr. Putin’s war-crimes budget. Rebuild ties with Saudi Arabia and Israel and work together against Iran. This will stabilize the Middle East, ease the Gaza crisis, and create an opening for the Saudis to join the U.S. in squeezing Russia out of global energy markets. Impose real sanctions on Russia. The Biden administration’s sanctions sound good on paper but are hollow. The Treasury, for example, exempts Russian banks from U.S. sanctions if their transactions are related to energy production—the most important revenue source for the Kremlin’s war machine.

 

Bulk up America’s defense industry. We must show our adversaries, especially Russia and China, that they can’t compete with U.S. defense capabilities. Russia’s economy is smaller than Texas’. We can’t allow China to match and surpass the U.S. Revitalize the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This includes making Europeans pay their fair share. It is time to raise the bar on spending to 3% of member countries’ gross domestic product. Create a $500 billion “lend-lease” program for Ukraine. Instead of saddling U.S. taxpayers with more bills, let Ukraine borrow as much as it needs to buy American weapons to defeat Russia. This is how we helped Britain in World War II before Pearl Harbor. It’s how we can send a clear signal to Mr. Putin that he will never win.

 

Lift all restrictions on the type of weapons Ukraine can obtain and use. This will re-establish a position of strength, which Mr. Putin will understand means the war must end. He will face rising costs and no chance of further gain. These steps would position Mr. Trump to set the terms of a deal: The war stops immediately. Ukraine builds up substantial defense forces so Russia never attacks again. No one recognizes Russia’s occupation and claimed annexation of any Ukrainian territories—just as we never recognized the Soviet incorporation of the Baltic states and withheld recognition from East Germany until 1974. Crimea is demilitarized. Ukraine rebuilds with reparations from Russia’s frozen central-bank reserves, not U.S. taxpayer dollars.

 

Ukraine joins NATO as soon as possible so all European allies assume the burden of protecting it. NATO should establish a $100 billion fund for arming Ukraine, with the U.S. share capped at 20%, as is the case with other alliance common budgets. The European Union should swiftly admit Ukraine and help it modernize and develop its economy. If Russia complies with these terms, the West will gradually lift sanctions. They will be fully removed once Ukraine is in both NATO and the EU. These steps, and not the half-measures of the Biden administration, will end the war, establish a lasting peace, ensure Europe bears the burden of maintaining it, and re-establish freedom and security on the Continent.

 

To those who doubt: The last thing Mr. Trump wants in a second term is a foreign-policy failure that distracts from his domestic agenda and makes Mr. Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan look like a success in comparison. 

 

This comprehensive strategy highlights the belief that strength, clear policies, and strategic international alliances are essential to ending the conflict in Ukraine. By leveraging America's energy resources, reinforcing defense capabilities, and revitalizing NATO, a Trump-led administration could potentially navigate the complexities of the Ukraine-Russia conflict toward a resolution that prioritizes stability and security for Ukraine and the broader international community.

 

Mr. Urban is managing director at the BGR Group and of counsel at Torridon Law. Mr. Pompeo served as secretary of state, 2018-21.

 

Credit: Wall Street Journal 2024-07-27

 

 

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[Tug]

Oh boy!didn't trump say to putin he could do as he pleases with any nato country that was in arrears with its nato payments?how’s about the helinsky betrayal?what did those 2 discuss out of Americas earshot?who got impeached over trying to extort Ukraine for non existent dirt on Joe Biden?I recall during the waining days of the trump mess the joint chiefs nato proofing any destructive trump meddling.trump will throw Ukraine under the bus faster than you can say Diet Coke the same with NATO!!

[stoner]

4 minutes ago, Tug said:

Oh boy!didn't trump say to putin he could do as he pleases with any nato country that was in arrears with its nato payments?how’s about the helinsky betrayal?what did those 2 discuss out of Americas earshot?who got impeached over trying to extort Ukraine for non existent dirt on Joe Biden?I recall during the waining days of the trump mess the joint chiefs nato proofing any destructive trump meddling.trump will throw Ukraine under the bus faster than you can say Diet Coke the same with NATO!!

 

can you read english as well as you write it ? 

 

32 minutes ago, Social Media said:

It was Mr. Trump who in 2017 lifted the Obama administration’s arms embargo on Ukraine, providing it with the Javelin missiles that helped save Kyiv in the earliest days of Russia’s invasion.

 

published by that total smut of a paper the wall st journal. by a former secretary of state a total hack nobody. 

[bubblegum]

Clearly the writer of this piece of trash does not know how NATO works. Just like Trump does not. A 2 or 3 % budget for defence does NOT create money for lent and lease or anything. It is a National Budget for the countries defence !!!

[Tug]

25 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

can you read english as well as you write it ? 

 

 

published by that total smut of a paper the wall st journal. by a former secretary of state a total hack nobody. 

Do you have a memory or is it of the selective variety?remember trump trying to extort Ukraine for dirt on Biden before he would release the shipments?I sure do + a lot of other things this article is a murdoc fluff piece for the felon.

[stoner]

30 minutes ago, Tug said:

Do you have a memory or is it of the selective variety?remember trump trying to extort Ukraine for dirt on Biden before he would release the shipments?I sure do + a lot of other things this article is a murdoc fluff piece for the felon.

 

No I don’t remember that. Must be a blue maga fluff conspiracy. 

[Tug]

2 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

No I don’t remember that. Must be a blue maga fluff conspiracy. 

Soo you forgot trumps first impeachment……ok……

[stoner]

4 minutes ago, Tug said:

Soo you forgot trumps first impeachment……ok……

 

did you buy my cannabis ? you sound super high. super blue maga fluff conspiracy. 

[Jingthing]

This article reads like a piece of Trump fan fiction.

It has nothing to do any real "plan" or any real action Trump would actually take if tragically he comes back to power.

[stoner]

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This article reads like a piece of Trump fan fiction.

It has nothing to do any real "plan" or any real action Trump would actually take if tragically he comes back to power.

 

this comment reads more like a personal political point rather than reality.  

[sirineou]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Not all of the policies he proposes are bad, it is that he is bad, and cant believe anything he says.

He is a poisoned vesel , anything good placed in that vessel will be contaminated and ruined.

I watched him talk about Ukraine , all he does is brag how he will solve the issue and how he will do it quickly, but he never says how he will do it.

He is an empty suite , an actor acting the part.   

 

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Not all of the policies he proposes are bad, it is that he is bad, and cant believe anything he says.

He is a poisoned vesel , anything good placed in that vessel will be contaminated and ruined.

I watched him talk about Ukraine , all he does is brag how he will solve the issue and how he will do it quickly, but he never says how he will do it.  

 

That is his disgusting lying pattern.

Like with Obamacare which he tried very hard and almost succeeded in killing and he was always saying his great health care plan replacement better and cheaper was coming soon. He never proposed anything. He's a grifter, con man, criminal, and if Americans make the mistake of bringing him back to power, I'm sorry, Americans deserve to lose their democracy because that is his aim. 

[sirineou]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That is his disgusting lying pattern.

Like with Obamacare which he tried very hard and almost succeeded in killing and he was always saying his great health care plan replacement better and cheaper was coming soon. He never proposed anything. He's a grifter, con man, criminal, and if Americans make the mistake of bringing him back to power, I'm sorry, Americans deserve to lose their democracy because that is his aim. 

What is more troubling than trump is that he has exposed willingness of a large part of the american public to buy his nonsense. Regardless of what happens with trump don't think that other players (trump wannabes) have not taken   notice.I hate to be so pessimistic, but   

I am afraid we are  in for a rough ride  unless cooler heads prevail.  

 

[stoner]

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

What is more troubling than trump is that he has exposed willingness of a large part of the american public to buy his nonsense.

 

this goes both ways. remember the nonsense we were told by hundreds of people about how tippy top biden was ? and remember how millions ate that big fat lie ?

 

what a distant memory that is eh. now those same people are clamoring on about new and better things to lie about. puff one for me dogg. 

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, sirineou said:

What is more troubling than trump is that he has exposed willingness of a large part of the american public to buy his nonsense. Regardless of what happens with trump don't think that other players (trump wannabes) have not taken   notice.I hate to be so pessimistic, but   

I am afraid we are  in for a rough ride  unless cooler heads prevail.  

 

I agree.

His base is very violent.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Ukraine joins NATO as soon as possible so all European allies assume the burden of protecting it.

Did Zelensky write this? The point of Russia's invasion was about stopping it joining NATO.

Madness, and more likely to cause MAD.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

NATO should establish a $100 billion fund for arming Ukraine, with the U.S. share capped at 20%, as is the case with other alliance common budgets.

Perhaps the author can give us directions for the money tree.

Britain can't pay nurses a decent wage, but they are expected to front up with a few spare billion to give to Ukraine?

 

Given it is a product of the odious Wall Street, I suspect it's more about making the usual suspects even richer than they already are, than a plan for peace.

[sirineou]

41 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I agree.

His base is very violent.

This is IMO an interesting perspective. 

Violence is always the refuge of those who have run out of ideas. 

I am willing to bet that for the most part. if they were to take an IQ test his base will score significantly less than those on the left.

I know it sounds elitist but I think it is an accurate observation. 

You know "stupid is as stupid does" 

Intelligence promotes understanding, and understanding promotes respect as opposed to fear. If we understand fire we respect it enough not to put our hand in it, but we do not fear it because we take adequate protective measures, 

  Fear is a great motivator, and and the driving force behind a conservative mind

  . In any sales seminar , the first thing that it is taught in overcoming objections, is that  the fear of loss is greater than the desire for gain. 

"Studies have found that subjects with right-wing (or conservative in the United States) political views have larger amygdalae "

  Fear becomes actionable in the Amygdala.

"As soon as you recognize fear, your amygdala (small organ in the middle of your brain) goes to work. It alerts your nervous system, which sets your body's fear response into motion. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released "

  So the question is what came first, the chicken or the egg? has fear lead to an enlarged amygdala, or does an enlarged amygdala  is the cause of excess fear? 

so I guess  one could say that the situation in the US is a mental health issue.

Wouldn't it be funny, if conservatism could be cured with medication. like an enlarged prostate ?  

 

 

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Among the essentials are a lend-lease program, real sanctions on Russia, and a revitalized NATO. Pundits claim that if Donald Trump is re-elected, he will cut off aid to Ukraine, give away its territory, and deal directly with Vladimir Putin to impose an ignominious “peace” on the country.

 

There’s no evidence that such capitulation will be part of President Trump’s policy and much evidence to the contrary. It was Mr. Trump who in 2017 lifted the Obama administration’s arms embargo on Ukraine, providing it with the Javelin missiles that helped save Kyiv in the earliest days of Russia’s invasion. More recently, Mr. Trump gave political cover to House Speaker Mike Johnson when he maneuvered to pass additional military aid. Helping Ukraine while revitalizing the American defense industrial base in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Virginia is good policy—and good politics.

 

The Biden administration’s weakness has left Ukraine where it is today: two years into a full-scale war, with cities destroyed, hundreds of thousands killed, millions of refugees, and without the means to win. The White House has no strategy for victory, and Americans are rightly concerned. While Mr. Biden stumbled into war through weakness, Mr. Trump could re-establish peace through strength. Here’s how a successful plan for Ukraine might look:

 

Unleash America’s energy potential. This will fire up the U.S. economy, drive down prices and shrink Mr. Putin’s war-crimes budget. Rebuild ties with Saudi Arabia and Israel and work together against Iran. This will stabilize the Middle East, ease the Gaza crisis, and create an opening for the Saudis to join the U.S. in squeezing Russia out of global energy markets. Impose real sanctions on Russia. The Biden administration’s sanctions sound good on paper but are hollow. The Treasury, for example, exempts Russian banks from U.S. sanctions if their transactions are related to energy production—the most important revenue source for the Kremlin’s war machine.

 

Bulk up America’s defense industry. We must show our adversaries, especially Russia and China, that they can’t compete with U.S. defense capabilities. Russia’s economy is smaller than Texas’. We can’t allow China to match and surpass the U.S. Revitalize the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This includes making Europeans pay their fair share. It is time to raise the bar on spending to 3% of member countries’ gross domestic product. Create a $500 billion “lend-lease” program for Ukraine. Instead of saddling U.S. taxpayers with more bills, let Ukraine borrow as much as it needs to buy American weapons to defeat Russia. This is how we helped Britain in World War II before Pearl Harbor. It’s how we can send a clear signal to Mr. Putin that he will never win.

 

Lift all restrictions on the type of weapons Ukraine can obtain and use. This will re-establish a position of strength, which Mr. Putin will understand means the war must end. He will face rising costs and no chance of further gain. These steps would position Mr. Trump to set the terms of a deal: The war stops immediately. Ukraine builds up substantial defense forces so Russia never attacks again. No one recognizes Russia’s occupation and claimed annexation of any Ukrainian territories—just as we never recognized the Soviet incorporation of the Baltic states and withheld recognition from East Germany until 1974. Crimea is demilitarized. Ukraine rebuilds with reparations from Russia’s frozen central-bank reserves, not U.S. taxpayer dollars.

 

Ukraine joins NATO as soon as possible so all European allies assume the burden of protecting it. NATO should establish a $100 billion fund for arming Ukraine, with the U.S. share capped at 20%, as is the case with other alliance common budgets. The European Union should swiftly admit Ukraine and help it modernize and develop its economy. If Russia complies with these terms, the West will gradually lift sanctions. They will be fully removed once Ukraine is in both NATO and the EU. These steps, and not the half-measures of the Biden administration, will end the war, establish a lasting peace, ensure Europe bears the burden of maintaining it, and re-establish freedom and security on the Continent.

 

To those who doubt: The last thing Mr. Trump wants in a second term is a foreign-policy failure that distracts from his domestic agenda and makes Mr. Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan look like a success in comparison. 

 

This comprehensive strategy highlights the belief that strength, clear policies, and strategic international alliances are essential to ending the conflict in Ukraine. By leveraging America's energy resources, reinforcing defense capabilities, and revitalizing NATO, a Trump-led administration could potentially navigate the complexities of the Ukraine-Russia conflict toward a resolution that prioritizes stability and security for Ukraine and the broader international community.

 

Mr. Urban is managing director at the BGR Group and of counsel at Torridon Law. Mr. Pompeo served as secretary of state, 2018-21.

 

Credit: Wall Street Journal 2024-07-27

 

 

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🥱 What story tomorrow 🥱

[spidermike007]

He certainly capitulated to Putin in his first term. He was Putin's lapdog. Same applies to Kim and MBS. He seems to adore despots, and he seems to deplore democracy. That is just who he is. 

[Tug]

29 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

this goes both ways. remember the nonsense we were told by hundreds of people about how tippy top biden was ? and remember how millions ate that big fat lie ?

 

what a distant memory that is eh. now those same people are clamoring on about new and better things to lie about. puff one for me dogg. 

Results…..nato revitalized 2 top tier strategically placed new members Russia exposed for the paper tiger it is.Supporting a struggling democracy attacked by its larger looting raping bunch of Russian orcs.all for less than 5% of our national defense budget and most of the money stays here replenishing stocks.that sir is BRILLIANT!and the correct thing to do.our nation was on the brink of another Great Depression not anymore we have had the best recovery after Covid of any nation on the planet our inflation is below 3% our unemployment figures are outstanding our stock market is booming.thats not an accident that’s a direct result of good governance.and yes Biden is to old for a second term he realizes it and stepped down.trump is also to old and like it or not he’s adjudged to be the worst president in our history by scholars that study such things.ditch the albatross vote blue!

[animalmagic]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Mr. Trump could re-establish peace through strength

After that he could maybe go for -

arbeit macht frei, or kraft durch freud; or some other catchy motto?

 

[stoner]

59 minutes ago, Tug said:

Results…..nato revitalized 2 top tier strategically placed new members Russia exposed for the paper tiger it is.Supporting a struggling democracy attacked by its larger looting raping bunch of Russian orcs.all for less than 5% of our national defense budget and most of the money stays here replenishing stocks.that sir is BRILLIANT!and the correct thing to do.our nation was on the brink of another Great Depression not anymore we have had the best recovery after Covid of any nation on the planet our inflation is below 3% our unemployment figures are outstanding our stock market is booming.thats not an accident that’s a direct result of good governance.and yes Biden is to old for a second term he realizes it and stepped down.trump is also to old and like it or not he’s adjudged to be the worst president in our history by scholars that study such things.ditch the albatross vote blue!

 

Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuu ma boy

[stoner]

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Results…..nato revitalized 2 top tier strategically placed new members Russia exposed for the paper tiger it is.Supporting a struggling democracy attacked by its larger looting raping bunch of Russian orcs.all for less than 5% of our national defense budget and most of the money stays here replenishing stocks.that sir is BRILLIANT!and the correct thing to do.our nation was on the brink of another Great Depression not anymore we have had the best recovery after Covid of any nation on the planet our inflation is below 3% our unemployment figures are outstanding our stock market is booming.thats not an accident that’s a direct result of good governance.and yes Biden is to old for a second term he realizes it and stepped down.trump is also to old and like it or not he’s adjudged to be the worst president in our history by scholars that study such things.ditch the albatross vote blue!

 

most of this was easy after the world was shut down for 2 years. 

[Chomper Higgot]

It’s an opinion piece and obviously part of Trump’s election campaign messaging.

 

It’s core message requires readers to suspend all critical thinking to believe Trump would do anything other than exactly what a Putin wants.

Perhaps we can have news items going forward.

[impulse]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Like with Obamacare which he tried very hard and almost succeeded in killing and he was always saying his great health care plan replacement better and cheaper was coming soon.

 

I got on Obamacare.  Cost me $1,400 a month with a $5,000 deductible.  Not exactly the Affordable Care we were promised, and they still claim it to be...

 

Not hard to imagine some of his programs were derailed while he fought off ridiculous impeachment attempts and had to fight the Dems at every turn on the border.

 

[stevenl]

9 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I got on Obamacare.  Cost me $1,400 a month with a $5,000 deductible.  Not exactly the Affordable Care we were promised, and they still claim it to be...

 

Not hard to imagine some of his programs were derailed while he fought off ridiculous impeachment attempts and had to fight the Dems at every turn on the border.

 

Sure, blame the Democrats for Trump's empty promises 

[impulse]

5 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Sure, blame the Democrats for Trump's empty promises 

 

You mean like Biden's been blaming the Repubs for his border fiasco?

[john donson]

sanctions on russia after they came to help the local russian population living in the east from harassments after they voted locally to join russia a few years ago

 

short memory what is happening since 2014 in the region ?

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

You mean like Biden's been blaming the Repubs for his border fiasco?

Ah, but the difference is there was a proposal, bipartisan even although you will deny that, shot down by Trump. Still waiting for Trump's health care proposal. Maybe you can enlighten me?