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Congress is considering a year-end appropriation bill that includes billions of dollars in new military aid to Ukraine. Is Additional Aid to Ukraine in US Interest?
First, consider the actions of Russia. Russia has long been a geopolitical enemy of the United States, and the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine was just the latest in a string of actions hostile to US security and international peace. Russia has invaded neighboring countries in 2008 and 2014, threatened the stability of NATO allies, interfered in U.S. politics, destabilized the Middle East through its interventions in Syria and Libya, cheated arms control agreements, and promoted dissidents. used chemical weapons and sponsored cyberattacks against factions and defectors. Attacks against the United States and other NATO allies.
Secondly, think about the so-called “friends” of Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin will use nuclear weapons, defining Russia as an enemy of the United States through alliances with China, Syria and Iran.
US considers sending Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine
But after almost a decade of intense ground fighting, Ukraine has won the battle against Putin with financial and material support from the United States and Europe. Ukraine’s courage and American public support have strengthened America’s national and economic security in at least five ways.
Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to pursue war with Ukraine despite many setbacks.
(Photo of Kremlin pool via Alexander Demyanchuk, Sputnik, AP)
1. Ukraine is preventing the spread of war
A world war begins in Europe and the move of Russian forces westward is a clear and present danger to the United States and its NATO allies. Restoring peace depends on Ukraine pushing the Russians back into their territory. With our help, Ukraine can get the job done and prevent a larger European conflict that could drag the United States into a world war.
2. Ukraine is demeaning its rival Russia
Ukrainians are stealing manpower and materials from Russia. Please do a rough calculation. In fiscal 2012, $730 billion was allocated for national defense. The US has spent her $19.3 billion on weapons for Ukrainians since the invasion. That’s roughly 2.6% of the money we spend on defense each year. 2.6% is a reasonable investment given that Ukraine is significantly undercapacitated by what the US National Defense Strategy calls a “serious” threat. Russia, with its reduced war potential, gives its European allies time to assemble an army to meet her NATO obligations, a long-standing goal of the United States. It also allows the United States to shift its resources to the Pacific to protect its economic interests and deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
3. Ukraine’s success helps restore economic vitality
The war between Russia and Ukraine has taken its toll on European and American economies. led to a sharp rise in oil prices. By withholding the transfer of natural gas to Europe, Putin weaponized energy and put pressure on Europe to push Ukraine into early peace talks. The deeper the European economy plunges into recession, the greater the negative impact on the US economy. A Russian victory could mean higher energy and food prices in Europe and the US. The best way to strengthen the global economy is to hasten Ukraine’s victory.
4. Victory in Ukraine will boost US competition with China
A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would be an economic disaster for the United States and an irreparable blow to American power and influence. Taiwan will give China greater market power, access to the busiest international trade routes at sea, and strengthen its dominance over Asia. But China watches everything that happens in Ukraine.
If Ukraine stalls with a lack of military aid and is forced to negotiate early, China may conclude that the West simply could not afford to hold out long enough for Ukraine to defeat Russia. If its allies show determination and Ukraine succeeds in pushing Russia back, China will think twice before invading Taiwan.
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Transferring weapons to Ukrainians need not come at the expense of building US forces in Asia to deter China. must be funded. Second, Congress should force the Pentagon to be very clear about trade-offs between Europe and Asia. This will allow Congress to better allocate funds to fear weapon systems and munitions. Congress should also take urgent steps to grow a strengthened industrial base that can combat dangerous Russia and a growing China. Congress should also consider that Ukraine’s success will lead to China’s defeat.
According to US intelligence agencies, China and Russia are “more aligned than at any time since the mid-1950s.” Russia’s loss is China’s loss. To stand up to China, we need allies in Asia. If we abandon Ukraine, our Asian allies will conclude that we cannot be trusted.
5. Ukrainian Victory Promotes American Values
Russian predatory behavior is a threat to the United States. Because Russia, together with its ally China, is trying to destroy the US-led post-World War II international system built on freedom, economic openness and democracy.
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If the Ukrainian campaign succeeds, it will be a victory of our values over the values of those countries who, by fantasizing about lost glory, brutalize their peoples, suppress their human rights, and threaten their peace and security. A victory for Ukraine will promote the Western values of freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders that are fundamental to peace and security.
Ukraine’s battlefield success has furthered vital U.S. interests. The Ukrainians have the Russians on the run and need more time and weapons to complete the job. Congress must stand firm against Putin by authorizing additional military aid.
American taxpayers are generous with Ukraine, and as we ask more taxpayers, Republicans should exercise proactive oversight to ensure the money is spent responsibly. Republicans have been deeply skeptical of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy since the failed Afghanistan withdrawal and need to be convinced the Biden administration has plans beyond arms transfers.
Congress should pressure the Secretary of State and Defense on their strategy and insist that they come to the Capitol frequently to defend it. Republicans should pursue a detailed accounting of the administration’s spending, but additional support will see Ukraine sustaining its momentum and the democratic West’s toughness and determination in the face of geopolitical adversaries. This is the first war of the new great power race with Russia and China and we must win it.
