Russian attitude unsurprising

I think the guest opinion by John Hagney (“Trump faces master manipulator in Putin,” Feb. 5) requires a reaction. In 1962 the administration of President Kennedy was willing to go to war over the Soviet intention to place missiles in Cuba. Now we should be outraged about the Russian Federation’s resistance to NATO’s expansion including missiles practically all around her border? We should condemn the annexation of Crimea after a lawless power grab in Ukraine? The Black Sea defense of Russia is not possible without Crimea. Taking Crimea also prevented the bloodshed that we still see in the Donbas and Luhansk areas.

I would expect a presidential scholar to present facts, not hearsays about assassinating journalists and oligarchs, much less play a psychoanalyst with the story of Vladimir Putin and rats. As a historian, he should know that in the 20th century, a “corridor” was indeed used to attach Russia twice, so why is it surprising that the Russians do not want a repetition?

Does Hagney want more sanctions on Russia? In the next guest column, he can explain what exactly the sanctions achieved so far.

Peter Dolina

Veradale