Letter: Putin respects only force

So the USA and its NATO allies and the EU refuse to implement a "no-fly" zone over Ukraine, and to take offensive military actions against Russia, because they fear a "madman" Putin will do the unthinkable and strike back with nuclear weapons. Boy, has he hoodwinked the West by his mere threats. He's not a madman - he's a strategic planner, knowing that just that threat will keep us from acting militarily and thereby allow him to bring Ukraine under Russia's domination. (After all, what did the West do to prevent him from annexing Crimea in 2014?) When will we learn that a strong military response to Russia's aggression is the only action Putin will respect. (Sanctions? Ha.) Let's call his bluff and respond to him militarily as a master strategist, not an unpredictable mad man. But because he also is extremely proud, we need to also offer him a simultaneous face-saving off-ramp, so he'll not be humiliated domestically.

Kenneth L. Anderson

St. Charles