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The Issue: President Trump’s Ukraine war peace deal with terms including Russian occupation of Crimea.
I applaud President Trump for making the end of the Ukraine war a priority, and I understand his need to fulfill a campaign promise (“Peace deal’s on ‘iffy’ ground,” April 24).
However, forcing our ally to capitulate to our enemy will not bring the peace the world wants.
The president keeps talking about this “leverage” he has on Russia — well, now is the time to use it.
Daniel Kuncio
Manhattan
I was surprised at how magnanimous Trump was to Russia when I read his peace proposal.
US recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in addition to maintaining occupation of the territories that Russian forces presently occupy, along with the promise that Ukraine will never join NATO, is everything that Russia has demanded. If Moscow refuses, it can only be because it wants to annex all of Ukraine.
Trump must make Vladimir Putin believe America will not, under any circumstances, allow that to happen and, if he persists in that endeavor, the economic consequences for Russia will be severe.
I only hope that this is what Trump meant when he said that if this peace offering is not accepted, we will “move on” from the negotiation table.
Jack Kaufman
Naples, Fla
When does our responsibility to fall on every other countries’ sword finally end?
It needs to, unless we deliberately want to bring about World War III.
Yes, it’s a terrible war with incalculable injuries, deaths and destruction, but we didn’t start it. There are absolutely no saints in this struggle, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can’t expect to get everything he wants if Russia can’t do likewise. The solution is called a compromise specifically because of that fact.
Vincent Ruggiero
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Forcing Ukraine to give up Crimea would be totally unrealistic and ultimately reward Russia for its aggression.
In addition to Ukraine itself, all European countries have an interest in seeing their borders not changed by force.
As a compromise, Ukraine should refrain from joining NATO but receive strong security guarantees from a number of its current allies, including at least one of the two European nuclear powers, the UK and France.
Bruce Couchman
Ottawa, Canada
If this is our president’s idea of a fair and equitable deal, we clearly know where his allegiance lies.
Steve Bollander
Montville, NJ
The Issue: President Trump’s opposition to the Empire Wind Project and Mayor Adams’ pleas to revive it.
I hope Mayor Adams prevails over President Trump’s irrational aversion to wind farms and his decision to pull the plug on the one already under construction (“Project on Hizz whoosh list,” April 25.
New York needs the clean, low-cost electricity, jobs and economic development offshore wind farms provide.
Gov. Hochul has taken a firm stance against the moves Trump is making.
She and Mayor Adams can be allies.
Laurie Aron
Manhattan
The Trump administration’s recent halt to the Empire Wind Project off Long Island was based on political opposition, not environmental concerns.
Offshore wind offers benefits beyond clean energy; it will revitalize our ports, reduce air pollution and stabilize energy costs.
Hochul noted that Trump’s action threatens over 1,000 union jobs. Now Adams is jumping on the bandwagon, opposing Trump.
We can’t derail our clean-energy future because of Trump’s fearmongering and debunked claims about whales.
Melissa Parrott
Long Island
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