Why the US Needs Ukraine as Much as Ukraine Needs the US

The United States appears to have chosen a side in the Ukraine conflict, but it is not Ukraine itself. President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on President Donald Trump to remain neutral, while Trump has instead pursued deals with Moscow, reportedly siding with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. According to Ukraine, Russian forces have committed 228,992 war crimes since the outbreak of the war.

Over 17,605 civilians have been killed, with more than 55,000 injured, including at least 760 children and 2,950 injuries. Additionally, over 114,000 Ukrainian civilians, including more than 2,000 children, are missing. The largest group of missing civilians is estimated between 20,000 and 40,000, primarily killed in the city of Mariupol, which was destroyed during Russia's invasion.

A recent attack on a park in eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region killed a one-year-old girl and six others, coinciding with Trump's stance on the war, which was not well-received by Ukrainians.

These developments raise concerns as they suggest the US might be favoring Russia. The US is seeking to end the war early, and it may be easier to pressure a non-nuclear nation, Russia, than a nuclear power like Ukraine. However, for a country aiming to rebuild its democracy and align with the best examples of democracy, this choice is seen as a betrayal. Furthermore, aiding Russia can potentially backfire on the US long after Trump is gone.

Russia has never been an ally of the US and is unlikely to be one in the future. In Russia's national mindset, the US is an adversary and its principal global competitor. Moreover, Russians believe the US should be its next target after Ukraine. Russian leaders view the US and NATO countries as enemies, with values that differ significantly from those of the US, such as democracy, freedom, an independent judiciary, and parliament.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has spent 35 years building democratic institutions and working with the US on reforms and improvements to its legislation. Despite occasional setbacks, Ukrainians have continued to rally against corruption and war. President Trump's claim that Ukraine receives more from the US than it contributes during the war is debunked, as Ukraine received only $66 billion in aid, much of which was from Cold War-era stockpiles.

Additionally, Ukraine has provided valuable combat data on US weapons and air defense systems against a world power, and time to rearm and prepare for potential future conflicts.

If Russia were to achieve its objectives, it would become the dominant power in the Black Sea and potentially change Ukraine's government. Ukraine's industrial potential, educated engineers, and combat-experienced population could also make it a threat to NATO if defeated and subsequently used by Russia as a battering ram against its Western neighbors.