Trump may shock with his tactics but he gets the job done

Your editorial “Most of the free world unites behind Ukraine” (3/3) references a significant consequence of the rift between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. It has “galvanised European nations on defence”. Trump has a history of calling for US allies in Europe to step up their commitment to defence spending and it seems they will finally take note. As things stand, of the 32 NATO member states only Poland matches the US on percentage of GDP.

The failure to sign the rare earths agreement in Washington is indeed unfortunate. In effect, it represents Ukraine’s best chance of a lasting peace, a circumstance it was clearly unable to secure with the Minsk accords of 2014 and 2015. It’s self-evident with the US’s potential trillion-dollar investment in Ukraine’s terrestrial critical minerals that Ukraine’s security is assured.

It’s possible that a trade-off would include Russian annexation of territory it has “won” from Ukraine in this conflict. It will deeply offend the sensibilities of those who respect sovereignty above all other considerations but, as in all ceasefire settlements, signatories never achieve all their objectives. The alternative to a deal is the likelihood of a forever war that will consume vital resources and kill many innocents.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

Thank you for Paul Haege’s letter (3/3) outlining what looks like very sensible foreign policy being employed by Donald Trump. Only blind Freddy would think it a good idea for Trump to alienate both other defence superpowers, thereby dramatically worsening his own country’s prospects, not to mention those of the Lucky Country.

Unlike children’s fairytales, diplomacy has got to be conducted in the real world. Things are very rarely black and white but largely varying shades of grey. Of course, nobody wants Ukraine to suffer or Vladimir Putin to walk away scot-free. But that option does not appear to be available as yet.

LJ O’Donoghue, Lorne, Vic

Apart from Russia and its cronies, not many would disagree with Jim Chalmers that Volodymyr Zelensky is a hero and the “democratically elected leader of a very courageous country”. However, the federal Treasurer’s claim that “President Trump and Vice-President (JD) Vance, they speak for the Americans”, is akin to claiming Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong speak for Australians – particularly regarding another democratic and courageous country fighting for the right to exist against those who would eliminate it. Just as plenty of Australians are disgusted by the shameful weasel-word stance of Albanese, Wong and others on Israel, doubtless plenty of Americans are appalled at Trump and Vance’s behaviour towards Zelensky in the Oval Office’s television event.

Deborah Morrison, Malvern East, Vic

POTUS ganged up with his VP, big, loud, bombastic men, in bullying Volodymyr Zelensky, who is under tremendous stress because of Russia’s invasion. It was a spectacle that shamed the US in the eyes of the world. It’s good that Zelensky did not sign over Ukraine’s minerals to the US. No doubt Ukrainians will fight on courageously whether or not Trump prefers to buddy up with Vladimir Putin. If Australia ever came under attack, would Trump insist on us signing our minerals over before the US would come to help? We have to rethink our place in the world. Having voted Donald Trump, friend of dictators, into the presidency, the US is no longer a global leader among Western democratic nations.

Alister Wright, Younghusband, SA

There have certainly been fireworks since Donald Trump turned his mind to the Ukrainian war: a blow-up with Volodymyr Zelensky after the latter reneged on sealing a deal I suspect he still will sign and the Europeans finally stepping up on commitments to increase defence spending and even put boots on the ground. A lot happens in a week when Trump is around. His methods may shock but his instincts are sound and I predict he will bring an end to the war. Now for Gaza.

Hunter Ronald, Jerrabomberra, NSW

Hard to believe the Trump-Zelensky meeting was not scripted. JD Vance’s intervention, brash as it was, achieved European unity and a step up in European military support for Ukraine. Isn’t that what Trump wanted in the first place?

Michael Neustein, Bondi Junction, NSW