Transactional Trump’s Ukraine ‘deal’ making Russia great again

President Donald Trump’s opening concessions in peace talks with Russia are a big win for dictator Vladimir Putin, rewarding Russia’s murderous full-scale invasion of a sovereign neighbour.

Putin does not believe the nation of Ukraine should exist or be a part of Europe. By sidelining Ukraine, taking membership of the NATO defensive alliance off the negotiating table, and conceding Ukrainian territory even before talks start, Trump has delivered a huge pay-off for Putin’s recent lavish praise (“President’s change of tack: sweet nothings, long talks”, 14/2).

The US President is barely into his second term and already he is making Russia great again. In our region, China is watching closely.

Alan Payne, South Fremantle, WA

After US President Donald Trump grants Putin everything he wants – all the land he has illegally occupied and forgiveness for his inhumane atrocities – how long will it be before Putin is handing out uniforms to the non-Russians in the territories he has stolen and marching them at the point of a gun towards the Baltic States with a view to reducing them to further rubble?

And, of course, appropriation of more Ukrainian land is likely. This is what “transactional” means to the US President?

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW

As we are accustomed to expecting from Henry Ergas, his forensic analysis of previous reconstructions of war and natural disaster areas puts the Trump Gaza plan into perspective (“Trump’s Gaza plan better than resumption of war”, 14/2).

One wonders whether the same proposal from any other world leader or, indeed the EU or UN, would have elicited the same “Pavlovian reaction”.

Alan Slade, Dover Heights, NSW

Just put Greens last

For the ALP and the Coalition to make common cause against the Greens by exchanging preferences at the coming federal election is the ultimate no-brainer (“It’s time Labor rethinks deal with ‘extremist’ Greens”, 14/2).

Such a strategy could be most effective in re-establishing what was once known as the “sensible centre” of Australia’s polity.

While there would be a degree of instinctive reluctance by both Labor and Coalition supporters to preference the traditional enemy, the strategy could surely be sold even to rusted-on adherents as the “least worst” option.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

With the next federal election likely to be called soon, it is worth considering the last time a one-term government was rejected by the voters was in 1931.

Labor leader James Scullin was shown the door, ostensibly due to the Great Depression in Australia. Today, like many voters, I am greatly depressed about where Australia is going.

Gerard Abrams, Cherrybrook, NSW

Dutton NDIS challenge

There is certainly no shortage of challenges for Peter Dutton if he were to form a government. NDIS Minister Amanda Rishworth has just presented another one (“ ‘No limits’ $44bn NDIS open to all disabilities”, 14/2).

There is little doubt the NDIS, introduced by Labor under Julia Gillard, was much needed but its scope has far exceeded its initial purpose. Originally, it was meant to provide financial relief for those caring for the seriously physically and mentally disabled, and to ensure those with such disabilities received the best possible care.

But as with most new government schemes it was not thoroughly thought through. As a result, it has been, and continues to be, rorted to the extent costs are now totally out of control.

Former NDIS minister Bill Shorten, for all his faults, seemed to understand this and indicated he was going to address it. Obviously, though, his successor, Rishworth, doesn’t get it or lacks the courage to address it. Mind you, this just might have something to do with shoring up votes at the next election.

Labor continues to have little or no respect for taxpayer dollar.

Dutton needs to put this on his increasingly lengthy “to do” list.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

Coal for cheap power

Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Research chief executive Gerard Holland says the cheapest way to lower power prices would be to stick with coal (“Warning of 70pc rise in energy bills in decade”, 14/2). Holland is right.

For generations, coal-fired power has provided cheap, secure, reliable electricity. But ever since notoriously unreliable renewables were granted unfettered entry into the national electricity grid, power costs have soared, the grid has become increasingly unstable and the threat of the nation’s lights going out is intensifying.

Yet the Albanese government is hellbent on kicking our coal-fired power stations out and hoisting the renewables flag in their place.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld