Turning our back on allies hurts US in critical ways

Editor:

It is an established fact that Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator. He has murdered his political rivals and those who try to hold him accountable.

It is an established fact that Russia invaded Ukraine in violation of every international treaty and international rule of law. Those facts won’t change because President Trump (convicted of 34 felonies), lies or because a right-wing entertainment network repeats those lies.

The fact that the President of the United States cites Russian propaganda should concern everyone; it certainly concerns me. While Ukraine fights off an aggressor to defend their independence, the Republican-controlled government is cutting off military aid and intelligence while conceding to Russia promises of diplomacy and relaxation of sanctions.

Turning our back on our allies makes us weaker in two important ways. First, those allies now must question the commitment of the United States and our word. Are we committed to democratic principles since we are helping an autocratic government violate international laws? Can our allies trust us?

Second, will those allies come to our defense as they have in the past? It is also important to ask, will Russia stop with Ukraine or continue to make war on the Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, followed by Georgia, Moldova and Poland?

I am not a war hawk.  As a combat Vietnam veteran, I know the ravages of war; I have seen how war destroys a nation’s economy and its soul. I have seen how lies and political ambition and power lead to national disasters. Today’s Republican Party’s mollycoddling to dictators and appeasement to an aggressor nation will not bring peace.

William Fine

Brockport