Key Points
- There has been a significant increase in military assistance to Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion, including the provision of lethal weapons—the United States is the largest provider of military aid, committing over $38 billion since the start of the Biden Administration in 2021.
- Providing military aid to Ukraine aligns with U.S. national security interests by safeguarding Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Ongoing support for Ukraine is essential to uphold international norms, deterring aggression, and containing Russia, especially in Eastern Europe—reducing the risk of a direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Russia in defense of NATO allies.
- Continued provision of military aid is not without risks that must be carefully managed; these include the potential for deteriorating U.S.-Russian relations, the risk of nuclear escalation, opportunity costs, and resource depletion.
Recommendation
The United States should expand its mediation and diplomatic engagement to address the conflict’s root causes; encourage Track II diplomacy as a valuable complement to traditional diplomacy; and provide security guarantees including continued military aid and logistics support in order to increase Ukraine’s leverage in negotiations