Aug. 19, 2025 5 AM PT
To the editor: “In case your solely software is a hammer, each drawback seems like a nail.”
President Trump was a developer, so each negotiation seems like a property deal, thus his insistence on a land swap to finish the struggle (“After welcoming Putin, Trump appears to adopt his goal, agreeing to cede land for peace,” Aug. 16). Thus he sees worldwide diplomacy as simply one other golf course deal, however larger. He doesn’t respect that there are precise individuals on this property for whom it isn’t solely their residence, but in addition their nation. Do they get traded to Russia together with the land like serfs, or deported like inconvenient residents in his personal nation?
What’s worse than being in over your head? Not even being conscious that you just’re in over your head. I weep for what this incompetence is about to do to the courageous Ukrainians who’ve sacrificed a lot.
Robert Huber, Yorba Linda
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To the editor: Watching our president roll out the pink carpet to a Russian dictator presently dealing with an arrest warrant over struggle crimes in opposition to a free nation was astonishing. The truth that Trump persistently spews hatred for the “radical left” in California (the biggest tax contributor of all of the states) exhibits how twisted the Republican “personal the libs” philosophy has grow to be. No surprise Vladimir Putin was so joyful as he rode away within the presidential limousine: Trump legitimized him on the world stage, and he didn’t should concede a factor.
Ken Jacobs, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Trump is a bully and is able to important accomplishments provided that he can name the entire photographs. He does as he likes in Washington as a result of the GOP is completely intimidated.
The truth that he went to barter with Putin with out Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is an ideal instance of Trump’s hubris and his unfitness to guide this nation. He apparently thought that no matter deal he made with Putin could be gratefully obtained by Ukraine. The shelling continues.
Doug Tennant, Laguna Niguel
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To the editor: The Trump/Putin “peace” convention is straightforward to know when one acknowledges that it’s a assembly of two unprincipled leaders: Putin, who must win the struggle in Ukraine to serve his egotistical wishes of a higher Russia, and Trump, who needs a propaganda victory and a Nobel Peace Prize. Seemingly, neither is anxious about the loss of 1 million Russian soldiers or the destruction of Kyiv. Democratic ideas and nationwide sovereignty are of no consequence to both.
Robert Shapiro, Laguna Woods
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To the editor: The Oval Workplace apparently has a bust of Winston Churchill, whom the president has mentioned that he significantly admires. Does anybody else see the irony of Trump emulating Neville Chamberlain greater than his successor, Churchill?
The Los Angeles Occasions states that Trump “agreed with Putin’s demand that Ukraine make territorial concessions to finish the battle.” This strategy is much nearer to Chamberlain’s coverage of appeasement of Adolf Hitler than it’s to the dogged resistance to tyranny displayed by Churchill.
Larry Harmell, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Ukrainians have discovered to be realists, however couldn’t assist however really feel just a little hope that Trump’s assembly with Putin would possibly finish with some constructive outcomes for them (“After Trump greets Putin with red carpet treatment, Ukrainians feel betrayed,” Aug. 16). In any case, Trump instructed the world that he was making an attempt to finish the struggle.
Even these of us who’ve little religion in Trump’s dealings with Putin have been hoping for a miracle. Many People really feel nice sympathy for the Ukrainian individuals and their president. With Trump’s latest recognition in decline, in reality, a bigger share of People are most likely extra supportive of Ukraine’s courageous chief.
It’s arduous to say at this level if any of the symbolism within the assembly would ultimately yield constructive outcomes for the Ukrainians: the selection of location, the mysterious handshake between Trump and Putin, the secrecy concerning the way forward for talks between the 2 males, the deserted luncheon, the brevity of the go to.
These observations didn’t bode effectively for Ukraine’s future, however there is no such thing as a doubt that Trump will attempt to flip it right into a successful scenario for his diplomacy.
Lynn Lorenz, Newport Seashore
