Trump and Zel's peace deal progress: Letters to the Editor — Aug. 20, 2025

New York Post

13 hours ago

The Issue: President Trump's meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a peace deal with Russia.
I wholeheartedly agree with The Post that the United States must back up any deal ('The Post says: US must back up any pact,' Editorial, Aug. 19).
We all know that Vladimir Putin is untrustworthy, but he appears to be open to peace — mainly because President Trump has him over a barrel economically.
It's up to Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin to come to an agreement to end this war. If that fails, then Trump can put more pressure on Russia.
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No matter what happens here, Trump should be applauded for trying to end the killing of so many people.
Richard Ketay
Newark, NJ
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Monday's summit at the White House was a direct contrast to what the previous administration considered a priority, despite the war beginning during the Biden administration. Trump's message on global unity sends a strong message to all our adversaries.
As a taxpayer, this meeting restored my confidence in the White House's ability to bring our global partners together.
Greg Raleigh
Washington, DC
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Zelensky should not surrender a square inch of land to Putin.
Instead, I would love to see Putin return all kidnapped angels and pay to rebuild every city he destroyed.
Vincent Galante
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Mendham, NJ
Zelensky has the best broker for a peace deal in the world by his side. As a successful businessman, the president is highly experienced at negotiation, handling challenges and the art of the deal. If anyone can get a deal going between Zelensky and Putin, it's Trump.
I am cautiously optimistic that a deal will be made. If so, the Nobel Peace Prize will be Trump's reward.
JoAnn Lee Frank
Clearwater, Fla.
It was previously the Ukrainians, Zelensky and Trump head-to-head against Putin and Russia. Now it is NATO, the European Union, Ukraine and Zelensky against Putin and Russia with Trump as an arbitrator.
The European Union now has to commit to defending Ukraine's independence. It is no longer Trump's fight to win or lose.
Nicon Zasorin
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Claverack
Whatever comes of Trump's involvement amidst his ever-changing positions on the war is all but certain to be to the advantage of Putin.
Putin is a war criminal and an adversary of the United States — which used to stand for freedom, democracy and human rights. Zelensky and his country are Putin's victims.
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Our president can't allow his fondness for ruthless dictators to set that aside.
Oren Spiegler
Peters Township, Pa.
The Issue: Average charter-school students' scores on state exams surpassing district-school students'.
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Charter school education is the way to success ('A Bronx tale of success,' Aug. 18).
New York City's district-school system is broken and beyond repair. Politics has gotten in the way of teaching the next generation the importance of the fundamentals: reading, writing and arithmetic.
It started with ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio and has gotten worse. The City Council should be ashamed of itself.
Gov. Hochul is not a leader and would rather attend to criminals than fight for education. On top of that, socialist Zohran Mandami is posed to be our next mayor. We are doomed.
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Alfred Bonnabel
Manhattan
Are we really surprised by the test scores in New York district schools versus charter schools?
District schools are more concerned with indoctrination and teaching racism, rioting and remedial than they are with reading, writing and arithmetic.
Thomas De Julio
Delray Beach, Fla.
Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [e-mail]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.