It is horrific that President Trump and VP Vance have chastised Zelenskyy in a recently televised press conference.

Ukraine has been fighting a proxy war against Russian aggression for three years to maintain freedoms we all enjoy. Ukraine has suffered thousands of casualties and deaths of its own citizens as well as billions of dollars damage to non-military infrastructure including schools, hospitals and power grid.

At this point, the U.S. has only supplied weaponry with no horrific damage to American lives or soil. Zelenskyy should not have to apologize, but should be praised for the blood sacrifices his country and citizens have made to fight Russian aggression.

Trump claims there is no payback for the money spent by the U.S. for the Ukraine war, but what would be the cost of American lives and resources if Russian aggression is not stopped and the future requires direct military intervention of the United States? Are not three years of war and suffering by the Ukrainian people to maintain freedom enough of a payback already?

The United States should continue to support the Ukrainian cause and recognize the importance of Ukraine as a stopping point to unjustified Soviet military aggression which threatens democratic freedoms for all.

Ron Whitmore

Alvaton