With 41 fellow former political prisoners from the anti-Soviet Solidarity movement, Wałęsa writes President Donald Trump to describe their ‘horror and distaste’ with his behaviour.
I'm 57. Never in a million years could 20-year-old Gabbo have envisioned a future in which millions of American conservatives would support a Russian authoritarian, yet here we are.
In his famous, "We shall fight on the beaches...... " speech, Churchill galvanized his nation and the world to resist Nazi Germany. That was in the dark days of 1940 when the outlook was bleak but his resolve was celebrated. Today, those same words would have him ejected from the White House.
Also worth noting that the chattering jacks-in-the-boxes who criticized Zelenskyy for showing up to the WH in his trademark fatigues are (or course) oblivious to the fact that Churchill attended his 1942 White House Meeting with FDR in an Air Raid Warden uniform.
If Harris had won I’m guessing that the status quo would have prevailed. The U.S. would have continued providing enough support to Ukraine to keep them in the fight, but not enough to let them achieve anything of substance. Weapons would have been forthcoming, but with restrictions on their use. The bloody stalemate would stagger on. Trump won, and wants the carnage to end. Is that a bad thing? Is it possible that his mineral deal, combined with peacekeeping troops from Britain, France and Turkey could bring the slaughter of Ukrainian and Russian boys to an end? I don’t know, but might it be worth a try? Or does more blood have to be spilled for the sheer hatred of Trump?
And is it actually possible to consider the idea of Russia eventually becoming a European partner, rather than a detested villain? Does entertaining such a scandalous idea make one a “Putin Puppy”, or should we continue on with two minute hates for both Trump and Putin?
Except that Trump didn’t solve a thing, or even offer to solve anything. Unless you think Putin can be trusted. He can’t be: he’s broken his word on several occasions. In fact, on every occasion.
Russia cannot be accepted as a normal nation as long as Putin is there.
1) No, it's not a bad thing to want carnage to end, although I would argue that is not Trump's motivation. Trying to force Ukraine into an unjust, phony "peace deal" that will fall apart when Russia reignites hostilities, or leaves Ukraine no choice but to continue fighting without American support is a bad thing. The Ukrainian government is obviously open to a deal otherwise they wouldn't have gone to Washington in the first place. But they aren't going to sign a deal that isn't in their interests because that would be stupid.
2) It's possible a minerals deal is part of the solution, but Trump didn't make a convincing case in the Oval Office. This comes across like a shakedown of Ukraine and in exchange they get nothing.
3) Absolutely not while they are a hostile foreign adversary with genocidal, imperialist goals.
Putin is targeting civilians - he is a war criminal. He has promised at least twice not to invade Ukraine and lied. The best way to deal with a bully is to show strength and let him know his war isn’t worth the cost to his country and in fact will be terribly destructive. Putin’s associates are all you need to know about him- Iran, Hezbollah, North Korea and China. Putin assisted in the slaughter of 500,000 Syrians. How can you trust him? He just wants a reprieve so he can build up his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. He has run out of Russian boys to send out as cannon fodder. He is part of the new Axis of Evil.
Not a single person cheering on the continued fighting is prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian soldiers as they die. Armchair quarterbacks is what comes to mind.
I was quite young, but I remember the grainy footage on the news of Lech Walesa leading the Solidarity Movement against the communist oppressors, and the martial law crackdown that did not crush their spirit. I shouldn’t be surprised that a hero would recognize a hero who stood up to tyrants. Glad to see that he’s still alive and well.
Thank you for this "guest post", Terry. And for the link to Chrystia Freeland's 2018 speech upon receiving the Diplomat of the Year Award, as well as to Stephen Harper's words to Putin at the 2014 G20. I don't recall reading about either of them at the time, but they sure help to bolster Canadian pride, strength, and hopefully, reason now when they are so needed.
Great guest columnist, thanks Terry. You display a broad understanding of events, and a great memory. It all makes sense. I would like to tweet this but I don’t see a share button. So I will copy the url and hope for the best.
Honest question: How do we know there are a "great many" Putin sympathisers in Canada and what parties/politicians they align themselves with? I'm not saying they don't exist - particularly on the far-left. But is there research and/or polling on this issue? My suspicion is that this is a largely online phenomenon driven by bots and malicious foreign actors.
I’ve encountered many, although only online at a site I no longer visit. One explanation, by Russian born Konstantin Kisin is that they see western culture as played out and decrepit and imagine that Russia is a sort of Christian paradise. Ukraine aspired to join NATO, the club of decrepit Westerners. So they favour Russia.
I should add that these people are definitely real and politically conservative. Kisin is a serious commentator and not making things up. Most famous example: Tucker Carlson. He is close to Trump,
That's why I try not to get too bent out of shape about social media. Foreign adversaries want to make us angry and divide us. When I see people like Nikki Ashton, Don Davies, Leah Gazan and Dmitri Lascaris tweeting out Kremlin propaganda is when I feel genuinely worried. All NDP/Green. The first three have piped down but I am sure they still feel the same way.
It amazes me, considering the stakes here, that there is so much division and differing opinion on wheee this all stands. Everyone has so much social media “Rant Journalism” swirling in their heads how will we ever reach a consensus on anything ever again!
If ever there was a time we needed true leadership to emerge from Ottawa to steer us decisively toward a “Canadian resolve” it is NOW. We must remember who we are and from whence we came. The sacrifices Canadians have made through a century of defending freedom and a way of life and the obligations we have made along the way must be represented in our actions. The Americans have embarked on awkward path to reinvent themselves and we must be true to who we are and support the Ukrainian struggle.
Mr. Glavin included a quote from Chrystia Freeland: “There are times in history when the great struggle between freedom and tyranny comes down to one fight in one place. In 1863, that place was Gettysburg. In 1940, it was the skies above Britain. Today, in 2022, it is Kyiv.” There was another event occurring the century before Gettysburg that bears mentioning.
Ukraine's struggle to break free from a Putin regime intent on reestablishing the Russian empire, ruthlessly trying to pull the Ukrainian people back under their control, is similar to what thirteen colonies went through 249 years earlier after declaring their independence from a British empire that viewed their aspirations and economic interests as secondary to that of the empire itself. Imagine the response of American Patriots being told at some point by their French benefactors that support of their revolution was conditional upon them entering into a ceasefire and engaging in peace negotiations with the British.
The parallel that one might draw from both struggles appears lost on a Trump Administration instead intent on quickly admonishing anyone it perceives to have disrespected them. Sadly, the Ukrainian pursuit of freedom from the grip of a tyrannical regime is a missed opportunity for the Americans to embrace, instead finding themselves distracted by a President telling them how unfairly they have been treated by the rest of the world.
Except Ukraine (like several other central and eastern European countries) WANTED to be in NATO for protection against Russia. Please remember that most of these countries have several hundred years history of Russian oppression against them. Why should Russia have carte blanche to determine who gets into NATO? At the same time let's all remember that there is an irony also at work here: namely that if the EU masterminds in Brussels had their way most of the European citizens would be living under a bureaucratic totalitarianism. I also find it ironic that two of Ukraine's biggest supporters, the UK and France (and let's not forget Germany) , have increasingly oppressive online policies that diminish freedom of speech and expression. There is thus something increasingly hypocritical (for example) in UK PM Kier Starmer advertising himself as some paragon of virtue by signing on as a friend of Ukrainian democracy and freedom, while in his own country a few hundred Britons have been charged with "online crimes". And finally let me say this about US VP Vance: at least he took the Brussels boys and girls to task for encouraging this diminishing of freedom of expression. But I like what Lech Walesa and his friends said to Trump, Vance etc. Political reality is multi-layered and internally contradictory in many, many respects. I get tired just thinking about it!
Could this be about USA realizing the bigger issue is with China. If USA is not embroiled in this conflict and brings Russia closer to western allies, as opposed to China, would that not make sense? I see so much rhetoric about how bad Trump is I begin to wonder how legitimate the criticism is. I’m no Trumper but I’m sure not a big fan of what the Democrats were selling. Despite all the convictions of so many online pundits what do any of us really know. Our current Trudeau Liberals are milking the anti Trump narrative to bolster their failed government and policies.
The Dysfunctional States of America (DSA) have deemed their democratic allies the enemy and shaking down Zelenskyy like Mafia gangsters. Putin is rubbing his hands together with glee as the victim of this war is being held hostage by the DSA for their minerals but now security guarantees. Plus Putin is watching as Trump attacks his allies.
JD Vance claims the mineral rights are security guarantees. The DSA can't be trusted and their words are meaningless as Canada and Mexico are experiencing with the Free Trade Agreement being ripped up.
Putin and Trump are dangerous.
If Trump really cared about the US being paid for then use the billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to pay the bills. He should be forcing Russia to the table as they are the ones attacking the Ukraine. Instead he is attacking the victim.
The Republican Party is now allied with Putin and Musk keeps going on about forever wars.
Europe is the new leader of democratic freedoms as the torch has been passed.
No matter how one feels about Ukraine, its leader, its government or its people, the display from the oval office last week was disgraceful, demeaning and disrespectful towards Ukraine and its leader. Facts can be interpreted many ways but what cannot be interpreted is how Putin’s Russia is the invader, the instigator. Ukraine needs help, the world needs to rise to the occasion and stand by Ukraine.
Canada and the rest of the free and democratic world must step up to support Ukraine's sovereignty. Fighting for Ukraine's sovereignty is fighting for ours. The authoritarianism and neo-imperialism surrounds us, Putinism, Xiism, Trumpism, etc. If you want to be sovereign, you must be prepared to fight for it. "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" Canada can be a world leader in the global democratic sovereignty movement, it will take leadership in Ottawa and every corner of this great country. To succeed will take capital, human and financial. Canada needs to double our defense budget (or may be more) now and project our strength globally.
Diplomacy is always the preferred option, but without the strength to support it, it is pointless.
I'm 57. Never in a million years could 20-year-old Gabbo have envisioned a future in which millions of American conservatives would support a Russian authoritarian, yet here we are.
In his famous, "We shall fight on the beaches...... " speech, Churchill galvanized his nation and the world to resist Nazi Germany. That was in the dark days of 1940 when the outlook was bleak but his resolve was celebrated. Today, those same words would have him ejected from the White House.
Also worth noting that the chattering jacks-in-the-boxes who criticized Zelenskyy for showing up to the WH in his trademark fatigues are (or course) oblivious to the fact that Churchill attended his 1942 White House Meeting with FDR in an Air Raid Warden uniform.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkcsKuMKooo
Brilliant
We watched a morally reprehensible meeting between a man without a suit and a suit without a man!!
If Harris had won I’m guessing that the status quo would have prevailed. The U.S. would have continued providing enough support to Ukraine to keep them in the fight, but not enough to let them achieve anything of substance. Weapons would have been forthcoming, but with restrictions on their use. The bloody stalemate would stagger on. Trump won, and wants the carnage to end. Is that a bad thing? Is it possible that his mineral deal, combined with peacekeeping troops from Britain, France and Turkey could bring the slaughter of Ukrainian and Russian boys to an end? I don’t know, but might it be worth a try? Or does more blood have to be spilled for the sheer hatred of Trump?
And is it actually possible to consider the idea of Russia eventually becoming a European partner, rather than a detested villain? Does entertaining such a scandalous idea make one a “Putin Puppy”, or should we continue on with two minute hates for both Trump and Putin?
Except that Trump didn’t solve a thing, or even offer to solve anything. Unless you think Putin can be trusted. He can’t be: he’s broken his word on several occasions. In fact, on every occasion.
Russia cannot be accepted as a normal nation as long as Putin is there.
1) No, it's not a bad thing to want carnage to end, although I would argue that is not Trump's motivation. Trying to force Ukraine into an unjust, phony "peace deal" that will fall apart when Russia reignites hostilities, or leaves Ukraine no choice but to continue fighting without American support is a bad thing. The Ukrainian government is obviously open to a deal otherwise they wouldn't have gone to Washington in the first place. But they aren't going to sign a deal that isn't in their interests because that would be stupid.
2) It's possible a minerals deal is part of the solution, but Trump didn't make a convincing case in the Oval Office. This comes across like a shakedown of Ukraine and in exchange they get nothing.
3) Absolutely not while they are a hostile foreign adversary with genocidal, imperialist goals.
Putin is targeting civilians - he is a war criminal. He has promised at least twice not to invade Ukraine and lied. The best way to deal with a bully is to show strength and let him know his war isn’t worth the cost to his country and in fact will be terribly destructive. Putin’s associates are all you need to know about him- Iran, Hezbollah, North Korea and China. Putin assisted in the slaughter of 500,000 Syrians. How can you trust him? He just wants a reprieve so he can build up his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. He has run out of Russian boys to send out as cannon fodder. He is part of the new Axis of Evil.
Then just keep the stalemated war going, but make it worse by stepping up the slaughter? That was basically the plan that the generals had in WWI.
No if the Western democracies stood up against Putin he would have to capitulate. Dictators only respect and fear strength
No comparison. Not the same.
Not a single person cheering on the continued fighting is prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian soldiers as they die. Armchair quarterbacks is what comes to mind.
Ridiculous. Contributing funds is a big deal. Your criticism makes zero sense.
Other People's Money. Spare me.
Is money going to buy more young men, and maybe eventually boys and women, to throw into the wood-chipper?
I was quite young, but I remember the grainy footage on the news of Lech Walesa leading the Solidarity Movement against the communist oppressors, and the martial law crackdown that did not crush their spirit. I shouldn’t be surprised that a hero would recognize a hero who stood up to tyrants. Glad to see that he’s still alive and well.
Putin was close to losing it all, but at the last minute, his pal Donald came through for him.
Thank you for this "guest post", Terry. And for the link to Chrystia Freeland's 2018 speech upon receiving the Diplomat of the Year Award, as well as to Stephen Harper's words to Putin at the 2014 G20. I don't recall reading about either of them at the time, but they sure help to bolster Canadian pride, strength, and hopefully, reason now when they are so needed.
Great guest columnist, thanks Terry. You display a broad understanding of events, and a great memory. It all makes sense. I would like to tweet this but I don’t see a share button. So I will copy the url and hope for the best.
Honest question: How do we know there are a "great many" Putin sympathisers in Canada and what parties/politicians they align themselves with? I'm not saying they don't exist - particularly on the far-left. But is there research and/or polling on this issue? My suspicion is that this is a largely online phenomenon driven by bots and malicious foreign actors.
I’ve encountered many, although only online at a site I no longer visit. One explanation, by Russian born Konstantin Kisin is that they see western culture as played out and decrepit and imagine that Russia is a sort of Christian paradise. Ukraine aspired to join NATO, the club of decrepit Westerners. So they favour Russia.
I should add that these people are definitely real and politically conservative. Kisin is a serious commentator and not making things up. Most famous example: Tucker Carlson. He is close to Trump,
Disturbing. I tend to think these people are overrepresented online, but who knows...
Definitely wildly overrepresented on X. It’s designed that way.
That's why I try not to get too bent out of shape about social media. Foreign adversaries want to make us angry and divide us. When I see people like Nikki Ashton, Don Davies, Leah Gazan and Dmitri Lascaris tweeting out Kremlin propaganda is when I feel genuinely worried. All NDP/Green. The first three have piped down but I am sure they still feel the same way.
I support Ukraine against Putin's aggression but I know people who are against supporting Ukraine.
They are from both the left and right-wing politically.
I'm surprised with their views because normally they have standard political opinions but in this case they seem to almost repeat Russian propaganda.
For example, they say that aid to Ukraine actually go into Zelinskyy's and his friends' pockets.
It amazes me, considering the stakes here, that there is so much division and differing opinion on wheee this all stands. Everyone has so much social media “Rant Journalism” swirling in their heads how will we ever reach a consensus on anything ever again!
If ever there was a time we needed true leadership to emerge from Ottawa to steer us decisively toward a “Canadian resolve” it is NOW. We must remember who we are and from whence we came. The sacrifices Canadians have made through a century of defending freedom and a way of life and the obligations we have made along the way must be represented in our actions. The Americans have embarked on awkward path to reinvent themselves and we must be true to who we are and support the Ukrainian struggle.
Mr. Glavin included a quote from Chrystia Freeland: “There are times in history when the great struggle between freedom and tyranny comes down to one fight in one place. In 1863, that place was Gettysburg. In 1940, it was the skies above Britain. Today, in 2022, it is Kyiv.” There was another event occurring the century before Gettysburg that bears mentioning.
Ukraine's struggle to break free from a Putin regime intent on reestablishing the Russian empire, ruthlessly trying to pull the Ukrainian people back under their control, is similar to what thirteen colonies went through 249 years earlier after declaring their independence from a British empire that viewed their aspirations and economic interests as secondary to that of the empire itself. Imagine the response of American Patriots being told at some point by their French benefactors that support of their revolution was conditional upon them entering into a ceasefire and engaging in peace negotiations with the British.
The parallel that one might draw from both struggles appears lost on a Trump Administration instead intent on quickly admonishing anyone it perceives to have disrespected them. Sadly, the Ukrainian pursuit of freedom from the grip of a tyrannical regime is a missed opportunity for the Americans to embrace, instead finding themselves distracted by a President telling them how unfairly they have been treated by the rest of the world.
Didn't NATO break the rules wanting Ukraine in NATO? No different than the Cuban deal.
Except Ukraine (like several other central and eastern European countries) WANTED to be in NATO for protection against Russia. Please remember that most of these countries have several hundred years history of Russian oppression against them. Why should Russia have carte blanche to determine who gets into NATO? At the same time let's all remember that there is an irony also at work here: namely that if the EU masterminds in Brussels had their way most of the European citizens would be living under a bureaucratic totalitarianism. I also find it ironic that two of Ukraine's biggest supporters, the UK and France (and let's not forget Germany) , have increasingly oppressive online policies that diminish freedom of speech and expression. There is thus something increasingly hypocritical (for example) in UK PM Kier Starmer advertising himself as some paragon of virtue by signing on as a friend of Ukrainian democracy and freedom, while in his own country a few hundred Britons have been charged with "online crimes". And finally let me say this about US VP Vance: at least he took the Brussels boys and girls to task for encouraging this diminishing of freedom of expression. But I like what Lech Walesa and his friends said to Trump, Vance etc. Political reality is multi-layered and internally contradictory in many, many respects. I get tired just thinking about it!
Could this be about USA realizing the bigger issue is with China. If USA is not embroiled in this conflict and brings Russia closer to western allies, as opposed to China, would that not make sense? I see so much rhetoric about how bad Trump is I begin to wonder how legitimate the criticism is. I’m no Trumper but I’m sure not a big fan of what the Democrats were selling. Despite all the convictions of so many online pundits what do any of us really know. Our current Trudeau Liberals are milking the anti Trump narrative to bolster their failed government and policies.
Putinism is Trumpism.
The Dysfunctional States of America (DSA) have deemed their democratic allies the enemy and shaking down Zelenskyy like Mafia gangsters. Putin is rubbing his hands together with glee as the victim of this war is being held hostage by the DSA for their minerals but now security guarantees. Plus Putin is watching as Trump attacks his allies.
JD Vance claims the mineral rights are security guarantees. The DSA can't be trusted and their words are meaningless as Canada and Mexico are experiencing with the Free Trade Agreement being ripped up.
Putin and Trump are dangerous.
If Trump really cared about the US being paid for then use the billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to pay the bills. He should be forcing Russia to the table as they are the ones attacking the Ukraine. Instead he is attacking the victim.
The Republican Party is now allied with Putin and Musk keeps going on about forever wars.
Europe is the new leader of democratic freedoms as the torch has been passed.
No matter how one feels about Ukraine, its leader, its government or its people, the display from the oval office last week was disgraceful, demeaning and disrespectful towards Ukraine and its leader. Facts can be interpreted many ways but what cannot be interpreted is how Putin’s Russia is the invader, the instigator. Ukraine needs help, the world needs to rise to the occasion and stand by Ukraine.
Thanks Terry,
Canada and the rest of the free and democratic world must step up to support Ukraine's sovereignty. Fighting for Ukraine's sovereignty is fighting for ours. The authoritarianism and neo-imperialism surrounds us, Putinism, Xiism, Trumpism, etc. If you want to be sovereign, you must be prepared to fight for it. "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" Canada can be a world leader in the global democratic sovereignty movement, it will take leadership in Ottawa and every corner of this great country. To succeed will take capital, human and financial. Canada needs to double our defense budget (or may be more) now and project our strength globally.
Diplomacy is always the preferred option, but without the strength to support it, it is pointless.