SIR – It’s tempting to hope that the truth is dawning on President Trump – that Vladimir Putin has never wanted, and never will want, a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
The offer of additional weapons to Ukraine is welcome (report, July 15), even if Europe has to foot the bill, but I still need to be convinced that Mr Trump will fully and unequivocally stand with the democracies against the despot.
David Kenny
Tredunnock, Monmouthshire
SIR – Mr Trump has finally concluded that Vladimir Putin’s words can’t be trusted. The rest of us knew this more than three years ago, when Putin invaded Ukraine after repeated assurances that he had no such intention.
David Vincent
Cranbrook, Kent
SIR – Donald Trump reportedly wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize. If he were to impose severe sanctions against Russia and provide sufficient military aid for Ukraine, the war could be ended, and the President might get his wish. But this must be done now, not after 50 days (“Trump threatens China over Russian oil”, report, July 15).
Anthony Appleby
Exeter, Devon
SIR – President Trump should realise that China is already in conflict with the West. President Xi is providing economic, technical and military support to Russia. He appears to see the war in Ukraine as a way of weakening the West and distracting America. It is therefore in America’s interest to bring the war to a close, ensuring a Russian defeat. Just as Israel has fought Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, America should see defeat of Iran and Russia as necessary steps in its contest with China.
Col Ronnie Bradford (retd)
Vienna, Austria
SIR – Russia will not lose militarily, but only by economic collapse. It is therefore time for the UK and the EU to announce further sanctions, and the seizure of all frozen Russian assets held in London and Europe. This would bring an end to the war much closer.
If the UK and Europe do not step up, I fear we will see the usual European technocratic fudge, inviting further trouble in the future.
David Shadwell
Little Baddow, Essex
SIR – What has happened to the “coalition of the willing”, led by our Prime Minister?
Not so long ago there was talk of putting boots on the ground in Ukraine, yet it now appears that the country must rely on an unpredictable US administration – just as Putin intensifies his bombing.
This seems to be another abject failure of leadership from Sir Keir Starmer.
Piers Pottinger
London SW17
SIR – It’s tempting to hope that the truth is dawning on President Trump – that Vladimir Putin has never wanted, and never will want, a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
The offer of additional weapons to Ukraine is welcome (report, July 15), even if Europe has to foot the bill, but I still need to be convinced that Mr Trump will fully and unequivocally stand with the democracies against the despot.
David Kenny
Tredunnock, Monmouthshire
SIR – Mr Trump has finally concluded that Vladimir Putin’s words can’t be trusted. The rest of us knew this more than three years ago, when Putin invaded Ukraine after repeated assurances that he had no such intention.
David Vincent
Cranbrook, Kent
SIR – Donald Trump reportedly wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize. If he were to impose severe sanctions against Russia and provide sufficient military aid for Ukraine, the war could be ended, and the President might get his wish. But this must be done now, not after 50 days (“Trump threatens China over Russian oil”, report, July 15).
Anthony Appleby
Exeter, Devon
SIR – President Trump should realise that China is already in conflict with the West. President Xi is providing economic, technical and military support to Russia. He appears to see the war in Ukraine as a way of weakening the West and distracting America. It is therefore in America’s interest to bring the war to a close, ensuring a Russian defeat. Just as Israel has fought Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, America should see defeat of Iran and Russia as necessary steps in its contest with China.
Col Ronnie Bradford (retd)
Vienna, Austria
SIR – Russia will not lose militarily, but only by economic collapse. It is therefore time for the UK and the EU to announce further sanctions, and the seizure of all frozen Russian assets held in London and Europe. This would bring an end to the war much closer.
If the UK and Europe do not step up, I fear we will see the usual European technocratic fudge, inviting further trouble in the future.
David Shadwell
Little Baddow, Essex
SIR – What has happened to the “coalition of the willing”, led by our Prime Minister?
Not so long ago there was talk of putting boots on the ground in Ukraine, yet it now appears that the country must rely on an unpredictable US administration – just as Putin intensifies his bombing.
This seems to be another abject failure of leadership from Sir Keir Starmer.
Piers Pottinger
London SW17