Parke Fisler

Clearly the pressure we’re applying to Putin to come to the peace table and stop massive attacks against Ukraine is not working. President Trump’s idea of going after Putin’s oil customers who prop up his war machine should be pursued with vigor by the U.S. and Europe. President Trump has crippled Putin’s economy by going after oil companies and refineries. Tariffs on India is a good example of how things can change. India is now buying dramatically less Russian oil, and if the other large purchasers would follow suit, it would help end this bloodbath. Finally, after this massive attack last night, I would urge President Trump to start a process to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles which would be a game changer militarily. In the coming days and weeks, we must apply more pressure to Putin. Any negotiation that is seen as overly rewarding aggression will set in motion catastrophes all over the world. The opposite is equally true. If negotiations result in a free, strong and independent Ukraine – who had to make concessions – then the world will be far more stable. Time is of the essence.