President Donald Trump’s suggestion to Ukraine and Russia to “stop where you are” is a huge mistake. Ukraine would lose land and Putin would have what he wanted, another piece of Ukraine.

This would give him the go ahead to continue “chopping away” at Ukraine. One must realize that Putin does not plan to stop carving out of the land of other countries. Ukraine now, and again in the future; Poland next, then Estonia, Romania, Finland, Germany, etc. Is it not obvious that his intent is to reestablish Russia as the world leader via land grabs?

No, if this war is to end, it must end with Ukraine regaining the land that Putin has taken, including Crimea. Putin seems to be working on a short-term plan. Crimea in 2014, eastern Ukrainian lands beginning three years ago. Ukrainians around the world see this happening, Eastern Europe sees this happening, and nations around the globe see this happening.

Put a stop to this when it is early in his war game. Stop Putin’s land-grabbing in Ukraine before he proceeds into other countries. Stop playing the detente game. It is three plus years past the time to tell Putin to get out of Ukraine. It is the only way he will see that he cannot enter neighboring countries, kill its citizens, and destroy a country’s infrastructure.

President Trump, in your peace talks, please do the right thing, not only for Ukraine, but for Europe and the world.

Karen K. Sheptak, Butler