Vlad gave his answer to peace, Mr. President: We must re-arm Ukraine
You said you were 'disappointed' in the conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, and that you 'don't think he's looking to stop.'
Putin again insisted he was unwilling to commit to a ceasefire until the 'root causes' of the conflict were addressed.
For Vlad, the 'root cause' is the existence of Ukraine.
He followed your call with the largest drone and missile strike of the war, killing at least one.
So why, Mr. President, is your administration punishing Ukraine?
The Pentagon has halted the anti-missile and drone weapons needed to protect the civilians of Kyiv. You remember the desperation on the face of the Ukrainian reporter you touchingly spoke to in the Netherlands, her fears for her husband and her family.
Why are we threatening to abandon her?
There is a belief, being pushed by twisted ideologues, that helping Ukraine is somehow hurting the United States, and not in our best interest. This couldn't be further from the truth.
Officials claim we have a weapons shortage, but many of these arms were already allocated — some were already in Poland.
Ukraine is paying for them, partly from seized Russian assets and European grants, a stimulus for our industries to make more.
In fact, our military can use that money — and the intelligence it is gathering from Ukraine's successful resistance — to make better drones and anti-missile technology.
It builds the foundation of the Golden Dome.
But most importantly, Ukraine's fate sends a message to the world about America. Russia is not an economic superpower to be unlocked. It is a dying terrorist state. Putin is willing to spend the blood of his people in a last grasp for empire.
If we let him succeed, if we help him succeed, it won't just threaten Europe. It will tell China that our alliances are fickle, our patience short.
This is not an either/or proposition, as Elbridge Colby, under secretary of defense, suggests. We don't aid Ukraine instead of fighting China. We aid Ukraine to thwart them. Russia and China share one strategic goal: Oppose the United States.
One missile 'saved' in a warehouse today is 50 we'll have to fire in the future because this axis was strengthened.
Mr. President, you have had a historic streak of successes. You passed your 'Big Beautiful Bill.' You won cases in front of the Supreme Court. You're forging trade deals.
And most importantly, you made the bold move to defang Iran, knowing that it would make the Middle East a safer place. Only bombing its nuclear sites could get the ayatollah to the table.
It is the same with Ukraine. Putin only understands strength. He will continue to insult and ignore you if the United States doesn't commit to Kyiv's defense.
Reports are that the conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday went well, and that you talked about strengthening the country's air defenses. That's excellent news.
The fall of Ukraine is not a disaster that can be blamed on someone else, or explained away as inconsequential. It would destabilize the world, weaken America and reflect negatively on your presidency. Don't walk away.
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