Blog Credo

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

H.L. Mencken

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Whither Ukraine?

 Trump's incoming national security team sends mixed messages about Ukraine. Some are Russia Hawks like Rubio and Waltz, others are Putin stooges like Gabbard. It's also unclear how much Trump feels he owes Putin this time around. 

The Russian economy is in deep trouble, as the war stretches on. Sanctions take time to work and they are now working. Ukraine's biggest problem at the moment is likely manpower, but they are talking about ceding large swaths of territory for NATO membership. I doubt that flies in the White House or the Kremlin. Of course, it's unclear what Trump's plans are for NATO. Frankly, bilateral alliances with countries like Poland could make more sense for Ukraine as a backdoor to NATO.

When Trump's win was declared, I sent a text to our "adopted" Ukrainian son: "I fear for both our countries."

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