The debate over American military assistance to Ukraine has lost touch with reality. The argument in Washington is less about Ukraine’s defense and America’s place in the world than about domestic politics ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The Ukrainian people had been drafted into America’s culture war, with potentially terrible consequences for both nations and the world. No one should have any illusions about what will happen next. If America support for Ukraine comes to an end. cutting off aid to Ukraine will not reduce violence or lessen the threat to America. It will amplify the carnage it will enhance the risk. China’s Xi Jinping, Iran Ali Khamenei, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and countless other murderers, thugs and genociders would be emboldened out of ignorance, indifference or malice. A great number of Americans seem to believe that our assistance to Ukraine is what fuels this conflict. They seem to believe that Vladimir Putin would like nothing more for war in Ukraine to end he does not. On the contrary, the Russian dictator gives every indication that he is mobilizing for years of aggression, not only against Ukraine, but also against America and the West.
If Putin no longer feels the bite of the Ukrainian army, he will be free to maneuver, he will probe for weaknesses in his near abroad and redeploy forces from Ukraine to build situations of strength elsewhere. Though the Russians may not be able to take Kyiv they certainly will gain territory if Ukraine lacks American aid. Putin may freeze the conflict in Ukraine and pursue his interests in the Caucasus and in Central Asia, while saber rattling against NATO. According to the head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, Eastern Europe has three years to prepare for war with Russia.
It did not have to be this way. President Biden may say that America will back Ukraine for as long as it takes, but he missed his chance to provide Ukraine with whatever it takes to rollback Putin’s armies. The result is a brutal war of position in Europe, a political stalemate in the United States and an empowered Russia.
Abandoning Ukraine to the Russian bear would be a catastrophe of greater magnitude than the retreat from Afghanistan in 2021. The Afghan route damaged America’s credibility, defeated Ukraine would shake the foundations of the Transatlantic Alliance and NATO and greenlight a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. incompetence in Afghanistan pulled Biden’s approval ratings underwater. Losing two wars in one term would doom his reelection. The Taliban for the moment seem to be limiting their malign behavior to the Afghan people and to Pakistan. Vladimir Putin’s ambitions and those of his Chinese patron, our global opponents of aid to Ukraine evade the reality of Putin’s intent for more than a decade, first in the Republic of Georgia than in Crimea and the Donbass in Syria, and in the rest of Ukraine, Putin has sought to resurrect the Soviet empire. He pursued his objective unencumbered until he met resistance in the battle for Keith. If America abandons the fight for freedom in Ukraine, Putin won’t change. He won’t falter. He won’t stop, and the danger in which we will find ourselves will be matched only by our dishonor.
Related
Matthew Continetti
Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
View Video LibraryCommentary
Our commentary partners will help you reach your own conclusions on complex topics.
‘The worst it’s ever been’: Young Americans on democracy
2 hrs ago
Dr. Frank Luntz
How to handle plunging US birth rate before it’s too late
3 hrs ago
Peter Zeihan
Japan must confront reality of military threats
Yesterday
Peter Zeihan
US may need to find new sources of uranium
Tuesday
Peter Zeihan
If America cuts off Ukraine aid, Putin will never stop aggression
Dec 21, 2023
By Straight Arrow News
The U.S. Senate is not expected to vote on a package for increased aid to Ukraine until early next year. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the United States has granted a total of $111 billion in aid to Ukraine, including a minimum of $45 billion allocated for military assistance. The White House has warned that U.S. aid will be depleted by the end of the year, and Western military experts have stated that Ukraine might fall to Russia after U.S. support runs dry.
Straight Arrow News contributor Matthew Continetti argues that even if Moscow cannot take Kyiv, Russian President Vladimir Putin would be emboldened by the U.S. decision to cut off aid. Continetti believes the outcome for the United States would be worse than its retreat from Afghanistan in 2021.
Out of ignorance, indifference or malice, a great number of Americans seem to believe that our assistance to Ukraine is what fuels this conflict. They seem to believe that Vladimir Putin would like nothing more for war in Ukraine to end. He does not. On the contrary, the Russian dictator gives every indication that he is mobilizing for years of aggression, not only against Ukraine, but also against America and the West.
If Putin no longer feels the bite of the Ukrainian army, he will be free to maneuver, he will probe for weaknesses in his near abroad and redeploy forces from Ukraine to build situations of strength elsewhere. Though the Russians may not be able to take Kyiv, they certainly will gain territory if Ukraine lacks American aid. Putin may freeze the conflict in Ukraine and pursue his interests in the Caucasus and in Central Asia, while saber-rattling against NATO. According to the head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, Eastern Europe has three years to prepare for war with Russia.
It did not have to be this way. President Biden may say that America will back Ukraine for as long as it takes, but he missed his chance to provide Ukraine with whatever it takes to roll back Putin’s armies. The result is a brutal war of position in Europe, a political stalemate in the United States and an empowered Russia.
The debate over American military assistance to Ukraine has lost touch with reality. The argument in Washington is less about Ukraine’s defense and America’s place in the world than about domestic politics ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The Ukrainian people had been drafted into America’s culture war, with potentially terrible consequences for both nations and the world. No one should have any illusions about what will happen next. If America support for Ukraine comes to an end. cutting off aid to Ukraine will not reduce violence or lessen the threat to America. It will amplify the carnage it will enhance the risk. China’s Xi Jinping, Iran Ali Khamenei, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and countless other murderers, thugs and genociders would be emboldened out of ignorance, indifference or malice. A great number of Americans seem to believe that our assistance to Ukraine is what fuels this conflict. They seem to believe that Vladimir Putin would like nothing more for war in Ukraine to end he does not. On the contrary, the Russian dictator gives every indication that he is mobilizing for years of aggression, not only against Ukraine, but also against America and the West.
If Putin no longer feels the bite of the Ukrainian army, he will be free to maneuver, he will probe for weaknesses in his near abroad and redeploy forces from Ukraine to build situations of strength elsewhere. Though the Russians may not be able to take Kyiv they certainly will gain territory if Ukraine lacks American aid. Putin may freeze the conflict in Ukraine and pursue his interests in the Caucasus and in Central Asia, while saber rattling against NATO. According to the head of Poland’s National Security Bureau, Eastern Europe has three years to prepare for war with Russia.
It did not have to be this way. President Biden may say that America will back Ukraine for as long as it takes, but he missed his chance to provide Ukraine with whatever it takes to rollback Putin’s armies. The result is a brutal war of position in Europe, a political stalemate in the United States and an empowered Russia.
Abandoning Ukraine to the Russian bear would be a catastrophe of greater magnitude than the retreat from Afghanistan in 2021. The Afghan route damaged America’s credibility, defeated Ukraine would shake the foundations of the Transatlantic Alliance and NATO and greenlight a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. incompetence in Afghanistan pulled Biden’s approval ratings underwater. Losing two wars in one term would doom his reelection. The Taliban for the moment seem to be limiting their malign behavior to the Afghan people and to Pakistan. Vladimir Putin’s ambitions and those of his Chinese patron, our global opponents of aid to Ukraine evade the reality of Putin’s intent for more than a decade, first in the Republic of Georgia than in Crimea and the Donbass in Syria, and in the rest of Ukraine, Putin has sought to resurrect the Soviet empire. He pursued his objective unencumbered until he met resistance in the battle for Keith. If America abandons the fight for freedom in Ukraine, Putin won’t change. He won’t falter. He won’t stop, and the danger in which we will find ourselves will be matched only by our dishonor.
Related
Who will Trump pick for vice presidential running mate?
Donald Trump is now clearly on track to run as the GOP candidate for president in the 2024 elections, regardless of how his various criminal trials proceed. What’s less clear is who else might run as his running mate for the position of vice president. Straight Arrow News contributor Matthew Continetti reviews a list of…
Apr 25
Education, income becoming key variables in elections
Education, income level, geography, race and ethnicity are all key variables in estimating who voters might support. But the importance of these variables has changed in recent elections, as America’s demography, culture and political movements continue to evolve. Straight Arrow News contributor Matthew Continetti argues that education and income level have become more important than…
Mar 21
If we’re lucky, AOC and the Squad are on their way out
The Squad, comprised of eight left-wing House Democrats, has been openly critical of Israel both before and during Israel’s war with Hamas. As primaries approach, some of these House members are facing challenging political races. Straight Arrow News contributor Matthew Continetti delves into the backlash against the Squad and hopes its members will face a…
Feb 22
All bets are off in a Biden-Trump rematch
As the presidential primaries unfold, a Trump-Biden rematch in November appears increasingly likely. History suggests a smooth path to victory for incumbents like Joe Biden, but the scenario becomes far less predictable when that incumbent is running against another former president like Donald Trump. Straight Arrow News contributor Matthew Continetti highlights the rarity of a…
Jan 25
If America cuts off Ukraine aid, Putin will never stop aggression
The U.S. Senate is not expected to vote on a package for increased aid to Ukraine until early next year. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the United States has granted a total of $111 billion in aid to Ukraine, including a minimum of $45 billion allocated for military assistance. The…
Dec 21
Underreported stories from each side
Republican House members suggest laws sending campus protesters to Gaza
13 sources | 15% from the left
Reuters
Trump vows to target EVs, LNG exports in meeting with oil CEOs: Report
10 sources | 0% from the right
Getty Images
Latest Stories
Migrants in Denver issue list of demands to city before clearing encampments
Watch 1:32
9 mins ago
UK PM Sunak warns of spread in antisemitism as European protests grow
Watch 2:40
1 hr ago
Russia V-Day parade raises questions about military capabilities, supplies
Watch 3:07
1 hr ago
Lawyer: Airman killed by Florida deputy who burst into wrong apartment
Watch 1:00
6 hrs ago
House Speaker Mike Johnson survives attempt to oust him
Watch 0:57
6 hrs ago
Popular Opinions
In addition to the facts, we believe it’s vital to hear perspectives from all sides of the political spectrum.
Putin’s promise of a long war might be hollow threat
3 hrs ago
Leon Aron
Why the Trump family is missing from court appearances
3 hrs ago
Jordan Reid
Arizona bill legalizing shooting migrants is part of GOP brand
Yesterday
Ruben Navarrette
NYPD’s lack of lawsuit disclosure shields it from accountability
Yesterday
Adrienne Lawrence