Mr. Milholland’s letter about the Ukraine invasion by Russia shows that “Fake News” is alive and well even in the U.S.

I can understand why Russian citizens believe the lies that Putin tells because that is the only news that most Russians get. However, people outside of Russia have the opportunity to search various news sources to determine real news versus fake news.

Mr. Milholland lists four “false” reasons that lead him to believe that NATO should make concessions to Russia. He says that the U.S. placed offensive missiles in Romania and Poland. These are not “offensive” missiles but rather part of the EU’s missile defense system that were set up to guard against possible Iranian missiles bound for the EU or the US. They are no threat to Russia, as has been proven many times in the past.

He also says that NATO expanded into Eastern Europe. NATO didn’t do this — rather some European countries “requested” to join NATO since they feared an invasion by Russia, much like Ukraine is currently seeing.

He also says that the U.S. is modernizing their nuclear arsenal. This is just a continuing upgrade program, much like Russia and China are also doing to their nuclear arsenal.

And finally he says that the U.S. has withdrawn from key nuclear weapons treaties. The U.S. only did this in response to Russia’s failing to keep their part of these treaties. A treaty needs compliance from both sides if it is to be effective.  

All people have the right to decide what they think about current issues occurring in the world. However, their decisions should be based on the truth and not on “fake” news. 

I have always wondered why the Germans could have done the horrible things they did in World War II. However, today’s Ukraine invasion shows how the citizens of any country can be mislead by fake news. 

I don’t know how to solve the fake news issues but hopefully all news agencies and web postings would check the stories or letters before they publish them.

Larry Chasteen
PORT TOWNSEND