But at what cost? If Trump cuts off funding for the Ukraine war, China would be more likely to invade Taiwan, which might goad Putin into broadening his war into Eastern Europe. Would the dominoes begin to fall?
According to the AP, Donald Trump said, “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.”
This isn’t just one of his endless boasts. He could actually do it. All he has to do is cut off all US aid to Ukraine. Everything Trump has previously said or done points to this resolution.
Trump’s animus towards Volodymyr Zelensky is well known. As is his endless adulation of Vladimir Putin, and his dislike of America’s footing the bill for Ukraine’s defense.
If Trump did cut off US aid to Ukraine, it’s only a short matter of time before the war would wind down. Supplies of munitions and other critical war material not to mention money would quickly be depleted. This would leave Ukraine in a precarious bargaining position. They’d be forced to agree to whatever terms Putin demands.
So while it might not actually be over in twenty-four hours, it would be a short matter of time. Which could potentially start other balls rolling.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping, has been waiting in the wings, closely watching what happens with Ukraine and the United States. He’s made no secret about his intentions with Taiwan. Xi sees Taiwan as an illegitimate country that’s historically been part of China. In the past year or so China’s been amping things up by asserting their sovereignty in the Taiwan Straits, conducting military exercises around Taiwan and even launching ballistic missiles over the island.
If Trump abandons Ukraine and allows Putin to have his way, Xi would see that as a green light to invade Taiwan. Because if the US would abandon one ally, it makes it more likely they would abandon another. So Xi would be led to believe the consequences to China could be minimal.
Trump has not stated conclusively whether he would defend Taiwan. What he has said suggests he’s leaning against helping. As reported in CNN Business, Trump said, “Taiwan should pay us for defense. You know, we’re no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesn’t give us anything,” he said, while suggesting that the US would have difficulty defending the island because of its distance, stating “Taiwan is 9,500 miles away (from the US). It’s 68 miles away from China.”
US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, as reported by Reuters, “… told a Senate hearing that if Russia was allowed to attack its neighbor with impunity, it would “open a Pandora’s box” for would-be aggressors and lead to a “world of conflict.”
“The stakes in Ukraine go well beyond Ukraine. … I think it has a profound impact in Asia, for example…”
If China did invade Taiwan and the US blithely stood by and allowed it, that could set off yet another series of events, moving towards Blinken’s “world of conflict.”
Putin’s made no secret that his endgame is to reestablish the USSR, or better, the Russian Imperial Empire. He often compares himself to the Tsar, Peter the Great. He clearly has territorial aims far beyond seizing Ukraine, which like Xi and Taiwan, he characterizes as an “illegitimate” country that’s historically been part of Russia.
Trump’s posturing on NATO countries that don’t “pay their bills” offers explicit encouragement for Putin. In a report from Reuters, Trump recounted what he said was a conversation with the “president of a big country. ” Trump said the leader asked him, “Well sir, if we don’t pay, and we’re attacked by Russia – will you protect us?” … (Trump responded) “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay.”
Combined with the US acquiescence of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, this would prove irresistible to Putin.
Whatever remained of Ukraine, plus Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland would be all potential targets. It would be like 1938 all over again, when Hitler started gobbling up Europe.
But the real main event would start when Great Britain, France and the other NATO countries began honoring their Article 5 mutual defense obligations under the NATO treaty. The scene would be much the same as when Hitler’s invasion of Poland triggered World War II.
Trump’s plan to end the Ukraine war could lead to World War III.
The only conclusion possible is that Trump is far too dangerous to be president. The future of the world is at stake. Trump must be denied a second term as president.