URGENT UPDATE: Renowned foreign affairs expert and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman has sharply criticized President Donald Trump over his controversial Ukraine strategy, labeling it a “disgrace” and a potential betrayal of American allies. In a scathing opinion piece for the New York Times, Friedman argues that Trump’s diplomatic maneuvering could have dire implications for both Ukraine and the broader European landscape.
Friedman claims that Trump’s latest approach is an attempt to secure a “peace prize” but warns that it could instead earn him the dubious title of the “Neville Chamberlain Peace Prize.” He states, “This prize would be awarded to the leader who most blatantly sells out its allies to an aggressive dictator,” referring to Vladimir Putin.
The op-ed emphasizes the urgency of the situation, pointing out that Trump’s plan could force Ukraine to surrender to Russian demands by Thanksgiving, which falls on November 23, 2023. “If Ukraine is forced to accept these terms, Thanksgiving will no longer be an American holiday,” Friedman writes. “It will become a Russian holiday—a day of thanks for Putin’s victory over Ukraine’s people.”
Friedman implicates Trump’s inner circle, including Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio, and Dan Driscoll, in negotiating a deal that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty. He notes that this agreement was reached without consulting Ukraine or European allies, a move he describes as a significant failure in diplomatic leadership.
The implications of this deal extend far beyond Ukraine. Friedman warns that by yielding to Putin’s aggression, the U.S. would effectively put the entire European Union under Putin’s influence. He argues that Trump’s message to allies is alarmingly clear: “Don’t provoke Putin, because as long as I am commander in chief, the U.S. will bear no burden in the defense of your freedom.”
Friedman concludes with a stark warning about the lasting consequences of this administration’s actions. He asserts that history will remember the individuals involved in this geopolitical miscalculation, stating, “Their shame will be everlasting.”
As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely. The ramifications of this potential deal could reshape international alliances and alter the course of diplomacy in the region. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
