Letter: Appeasing dictators does not placate them

Dear Editor,

Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago. Russia has been led by Putin, a dictator, for 25 years. He remains in power by poisoning or throwing his opponents out of windows. He is supported by lackey oligarchs after killing any oligarch who opposed him.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is not a dictator. He was elected three years ago and has heroically led Ukraine in its fight against the Russia invasion. The U.S., Britain, and France committed to protect Ukraine in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear missiles. The U.S. and the European Union have provided arms to Ukraine since the invasion by Russia, and they should continue to do that.

Expansionist dictator Putin does not respect national borders and won’t stop at taking Ukraine. If Russia invades a NATO country, then the U.S. is obligated to help that country and enter the U.S. into a European war. That is if the U.S. administration still considers the U.S. to be a member of NATO.

The U.S., especially those young enough to be drafted into the military, should be willing to give Ukraine the arms that they need to repel the Russian invasion and to regain all of its territory that has been taken by Russia. 

History has shown that appeasing dictators does not placate them. On the contrary, appeasement only gives them the idea that their aggression is productive. Expansionist aggressors are best stopped at their first invasion, like Ukraine, and before the U.S. needs to restart a draft and send U.S. troops to defend a NATO member country. 

Sincerely,

Kevin Millar

Owego, N.Y.