Let us not be tempted to rewrite history in a headlong attempt to dodge it — or repeat it. Working to end the war in Ukraine is a rational policy goal. Blaming the Ukrainians for being invaded is something else.
That’s what Donald Trump appeared to say yesterday, and it’s not the first time he’s suggested it. Trump has tried to arrange peace talks with Russia but appears to have frozen Ukraine out of the process. Volodymyr Zelensky has canceled his trip to Saudi Arabia to protest what amounts to an ex parte proceeding. When asked about it, Trump responded:
“Today I heard, ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it—three years. You should have never been there. You should have never started it. You should have made a deal.”
Been where? In their own country? And what deal did Putin offer…
