Letter: Zakaria's take on Trump and Russia upside down

Letter to the Daily Herald editor

In a recent column, Fareed Zakaria accused Trump of being "unwilling to confront Putin in any way" and questioned when "Trump will finally end his appeasement."

Let's see what the facts say. First, we should remember that it was Barack Obama who told the Russians that he could be more flexible after the election (boy, was he), drew a red line in Syria and then denied he had and gave billions to Russia's ally, Iran. When it was invaded by Russia, Ukraine asked for arms and instead received meals in a box.

Since becoming president, Trump has increased the sanctions on Russia, sent heavy weapons to Ukraine, terminated the Iran deal and sanctioned individual Russian billionaires.

He also has acted to increase oil drilling, thus lowering the price of oil and hurting Russia, which relies on oil exports for its economy.

Yet the media portrays Trump as being a Putin dupe, if not even a double agent. This must be a plan so clever and devious, in which Trump takes actions harmful to Russia at the behest of Russia. But then maybe it is just more falsehoods being spread by the mainstream media.

Stefanie O'Reilly

Wheaton