The U.S. and Allies Support Ukraine in War Against Russia
For over a year, the War in Ukraine has raged on between Ukrainian forces and Russian forces.[0] Although neither side has released official figures, Western intelligence agencies estimate that Russia has lost over 200,000 soldiers while Ukraine has lost around 100,000.[1] This is in addition to the 30,000 civilian deaths.[2] This devastating loss of life has raised questions about how long both sides can sustain this level of military action, leading to the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers and the deployment of former prisoners.[1]
The War in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of the United States in European security.[3] Without U.S. weapons, training, intelligence-sharing, and diplomatic coordination, Kyiv would have been unable to withstand the Russian assault.[3] However, the war has also underscored the necessity of allies.[3] NATO members have stepped up to the challenge, increasing their defense spending and providing aid to Ukraine’s war effort.
Russia’s army has had some successes, but it is too poorly trained and led to defeat Ukraine.[4] Aerial attacks on civilian areas have served only to stiffen the resolve of the Ukrainian people.[5] As the West continues to provide military and financial support, Russia is running short on ammunition and struggling to manufacture enough weaponry to prosecute the war.[6]
The stakes are high for Ukrainians, who are fighting for national survival.[3] For the West, the question is whether aiding and abetting the fight is worth the costs, given that Ukraine is not a member of NATO and the U.S. has no treaty obligation to help defend it. Nevertheless, the West has continued to support Ukraine, providing billions of dollars in military aid, and the Ukrainian people have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of aggression. As the war continues, it is likely to persist for a long time, and it is essential that the U.S. and its allies continue to provide support in order to ensure a Ukrainian victory.
0. “Ukraine war: Ten photos taken before lives changed forever” BBC, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64695153
1. “A year of casualties and displaced Ukrainians: Ukraine War in Data” Grid, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.grid.news/story/global/2023/02/23/ukraine-war-in-data-a-year-of-casualties-violence-and-displaced-ukrainians
2. “As the Ukraine war's first anniversary nears, there's still no end in sight” NPR, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/02/19/1153430731/ukraine-russia-war-one-year-anniversary-how-will-it-end
3. “Ukraine war one year anniversary: How the war might likely end” Slate, 24 Feb. 2023, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/02/how-the-ukraine-war-is-likely-to-end.html
4. “Russia's 4 Biggest Military Mistakes in Ukraine” TIME, 24 Feb. 2023, https://time.com/6258141/ukraine-russia-war-putin-military-mistakes/
5. “Why the War Will Continue” Council on Foreign Relations, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.cfr.org/article/why-war-will-continue
6. “Why Can't Russia Figure Out How to Win?” New York Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/02/why-cant-russia-figure-out-how-to-win-in-ukraine.html
