BBC: Starmer says US ‘backstop’ needed for Ukraine deal

Sir Keir Starmer has said any Ukraine peace deal would require a “US backstop” to deter Russia from attacking its neighbour again.

Speaking after a hastily convened meeting with European leaders in Paris, he said a “US security guarantee was the only way to effectively deter Russia”, and vowed to discuss the “key elements” of a peace deal with US President Donald Trump in Washington next week.

It’s increasingly obvious that the world has been taking advantage of America for decades. 

Ten years ago, other NATO countries acted all butt-hurt when told that they had to step up their defense spending.  They all assumed that the US would handle any big military confrontations.  We don’t get thanked for that.

I’m not one to tell the French that they’d be speaking German if we hadn’t saved them in WW II.  There is truth in that.  We made the difference in WW I and WW II, but that ‘s old news.  Other countries criticize the US all the time, and don’t support us internationally.  Germany had no problem making energy deals with Russia, even though they were told that was a bad idea.

The EU was insulted that they weren’t involved in negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, but they won’t commit to improving their military capabilities or getting actively involved in defense.

When USAID was shut down, leaders of many countries complained about how the withdrawn financial aid would effect poor countries.  You do it.  Go ahead, spend your money.

The US is funding 28% of the United Nations, but other countries want an equal say.

The US is funding much of the research in pharmaceutical drugs by spending three or four times more for prescription drugs.  What do we get for that?

The US funds most of the research and development in science and technology, then China steps in to make it cheaper. 

During the Gulf War, the US was criticized endlessly for engaging in a war for oil.  George Bush should have said, “Well, yeah.”  Then demanded reparations.

Other countries use tariffs to restrict imports.  When the US says that we will institute the same tariffs on them, that they put on us, it’s called a trade war and will be a catastrophe.

In every presidential election, candidates are asked to take some pledge or make some specific commitments.  The question that I’d like asked is, “Will you put America first in every decision you make?”