Why Trump’s Cozying Up to Putin Should Concern All of Us

Trump, Putin, and Why I Can’t Stay Quiet

This whole situation about the Trump–Putin summit today in Alaska is making me furious, and I have to say something.

A lot of people I know, especially those who lived through the Cold War, have told me over the years how much they feared the Russians. Russia was the enemy—no question about it. But now some of those same people support Trump, and I don’t hear them talking about Russia as a threat anymore. That silence speaks volumes.

Why People Say It Looks Like a Cult

I’ve heard the arguments many times: that “everyone just hates Trump,” or that “no one will give him a chance to do what he needs to do.” And I’ve also heard the anger from Trump supporters when people call it a cult. But here’s the thing: when you’re suddenly okay with a man you voted for and adore sticking up for our enemy—someone you once saw as a threat—you have to admit, that’s why people say it looks like a cult. Because it isn’t about policies anymore; it’s about blind loyalty to one man, no matter what he does.

Is Putin Really Afraid of Trump?

And let’s be real: do you honestly think Putin is scared of Trump? Why would he be? What would make Putin—an ex-KGB dictator—fear a man who has already shown he’ll side with him over his own country’s intelligence agencies? If anything, Putin has every reason to believe he can get Trump to do whatever he wants. That’s not strength, that’s manipulation. And if you think Russia suddenly “cares about us” now, what changed? Nothing. They’re still pursuing their own power, and Trump just happens to be useful to them.

The Facts

In today’s summit, there was no ceasefire for Ukraine. Instead, Trump backed a “peace agreement” echoing some of Putin’s demands—like Ukraine ceding territory. That’s a PR win for Putin, not a win for America.
Trump praised Putin in a video afterward, calling the meeting a “10 out of 10 success,” while blaming Biden for stalled progress. Experts across the political spectrum say this weakened U.S. credibility and emboldened Russia.
International coverage called the meeting a U.S. defeat and a stab in the back for Ukraine. That’s not strength—it’s surrendering ground to a dictator.
And this isn’t new. Back in 2018 at Helsinki, Trump openly sided with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies about election interference. He suggested he trusted Putin more than his own intelligence community.

Why I’m Speaking Up

I’ll be honest: I’ve always believed we should all be able to have our own opinions, and I still do. But I am deeply concerned about what some people in this country are choosing to support. To those of you I love who stand with Trump—I still love you. But I can’t stay quiet. I have to speak up, for the sake of our country.

Sources

By Vicki Andrada

A Little About Me I was born on February 25, 1972, in Flint, Michigan, at McLaren Hospital. I lived in Michigan until I was almost 40, then moved to Tampa, Florida, where I stayed for seven years. After that, I relocated to Arizona, living with friends in Glendale and then in Phoenix for about eight months. I spent two years total in Arizona before returning to Florida for a little over a year. Eventually, I moved back to Michigan and stayed with my parents for six months. In May of 2022, I moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where I’ve been ever since—and I absolutely love it. I never expected to return to Michigan, but I’m so glad I did. I was born blind and see only light and shadows. My fiancé, Josh, is also blind. We both use guide dogs to navigate independently and safely. My current Leader Dog is Vicki Jo , a four-year-old Golden Retriever/Black Lab mix. She’s my fourth guide dog—my first two were Yellow Labs, and my last two have been Golden/Lab crosses. Josh’s guide dog, Lou, came from the same organization where I got my previous dog—now known as Guide Dogs Inc., formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs. Josh and I live together here in Traverse City, and we both sing in the choir at Mission Hill Church , which was previously known as First Congregational Church. A lot of people still know it by that name. We both really enjoy being part of the choir—it’s something that brings us a lot of joy. I also love to read, write, and listen to music—especially 60s, 70s, and 80s music. Josh and I enjoy listening to music together and watching movies, especially when descriptive video is available. We also like working out at the YMCA a couple of times a week, which has been great for both our physical and mental health. I’m a big fan of Major League Baseball. My favorite team is the Detroit Tigers, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies. In the NFL, I cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers—and I still have a soft spot for the Detroit Lions, especially now that they’ve started turning things around. I’m passionate about politics and history. I consider myself a progressive thinker, though I also try to take a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and a strong believer in respecting people of all faiths. I love learning about different religions, cultures, and belief systems. Writing is one of my biggest passions. I haven’t published anything yet, but I’ve written several books that are still in progress. Writing helps me express myself, explore new ideas, and connect with others through storytelling. Thanks for stopping by and getting to know a little about me.

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