OPINION:
It has been reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to negotiate with the United States on the issue of the Ukraine (“Putin urges U.S. to push Ukraine to talks, hints at possible swap of imprisoned WSJ reporter,” Web, Feb. 9). Putin’s willingness to negotiate demonstrates fear of his ultimate failure to completely take over Ukraine and bring it back under Russian rule.
My father, aa highly placed and respected officer in U.S. Air Force intelligence for virtually all of his military career, was always adamant that the United States cannot negotiate with any of the Communist nations, especially Russia. Why? Because their philosophy in such negotiations is, “What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is negotiable.”
My father understood that Russia will ultimately violate every agreement as soon as the terms start to hinder its ability to accomplish its ends. Russia has ended up violating the terms of every agreement it has made with the U.S., including its nuclear development and testing agreements. The U.S. negotiating with Putin on it war against Ukraine would be the U.S. effectively shooting itself in the foot.
JACK DUCKWORTH
Burke, Virginia
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