The case to support Ukraine
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi delivered an excellent summary last week of the importance of continued support for Ukraine.
“The United States has made a huge difference in this war, and we can now tip the balance in favor of Ukraine if we take the right steps,” Wicker said on the Senate floor. “I would sum up this policy of the right steps in three words: more, better, and faster. More ground vehicles and munitions. Better equipment. Faster deliveries. We need faster deliveries right now.”
Wicker is absolutely correct, and it remains shameful that some of his fellow Republicans can’t or won’t see the big picture about Ukraine.
First, Russia invaded Ukraine as part of Vladimir Putin’s dream of restoring the old Soviet Union, dead and gone now for more than three decades. It’s stunning that anyone would be ambivalent about this attempted land grab.
Second, Russia got the attention of nearby European nations, who realized that if Moscow could successfully overrun Ukraine, it could do the same to them. Formerly neutral countries like Sweden and Finland have applied for NATO membership, enhancing the reach of the Western alliance when Putin’s goal was to weaken it.
Third, NATO is stronger today than it was a year ago because of Putin’s monstrous miscalculation. He clearly thought he could divide the alliance and expand Russian influence. Instead the Ukrainians, having been a Russian plaything for generations, knew their future lay with the west and fought back. NATO, led by President Biden, has applied economic sanctions against Russia that have exacted a price for its military adventurism.
And finally, it is no surprise, but still disappointing, that more critics of American support for Ukraine can’t see the long-term, big picture. It’s not just Ukraine we’re helping; it’s Taiwan. And it’s not just Russia we’re working against; it’s China, which is determined to take control of Taiwan.
It’s easy to criticize Biden. He ignores the value of domestic oil and gas production, which would cushion our transition to cleaner energy. He has presided over an economy with inflation that has not been seen for 40 years.
But Biden got Ukraine right. His administration correctly predicted Russia’s invasion. The president got our NATO allies on board, making the case that helping Ukraine was in everyone’s interest. He has delivered billions of dollars worth of arms and other support, most recently M-1 Abrams tanks announced last week.
In the Senate last week, Wicker noted that several key NATO members also are providing arms to Ukraine and are spending more on defense — as they should. He also said China is closely watching what the U.S. does in Ukraine, looking for signs of a lack of resolve.
Wicker made a strong case for continued American support of Ukraine. He didn’t say this, but let’s remember that the Ukrainians are defending their own territory. Our soldiers are not.
It is far better to shed American dollars on this mission than American blood.
