This article from BBC News discusses the parallels between Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy and Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement of Adolf Hitler in 1938. The author argues that Trump’s policies, particularly his handling of Ukraine and Russia, have created a similar sense of danger for the world.
The article cites Ukrainian combat veteran Maxsym Lutsyk, who compares Trump’s actions to those of Chamberlain, saying that “the West is making a deal with the aggressor” and that this approach is “very dangerous.” Another Ukrainian, Dmytro, agrees that Trump’s policies are reminiscent of Chamberlain’s appeasement policy.
The article also discusses Trump’s reputation as a “demolition man,” who is willing to tear down existing structures and rebuild them in his image. This approach has led him to challenge the assumptions that underpin the 80-year alliance between the US and European democracies.
The author notes that Trump wants payback from Ukraine for past support, and that his policies are aimed at weakening Russia through a war of attrition. However, they argue that this approach is not guaranteed to succeed, and that Putin’s goal is to break Ukraine’s sovereignty and reassert Russian control over the country.
Ultimately, the article suggests that Trump’s lack of a clear plan for dealing with Russia and his willingness to compromise on key issues have created a sense of uncertainty and danger for Europe.