By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In an online address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of robust support from both the European Union and the United States to halt Russia’s aggression. Zelenskyy acknowledged the EU’s assistance with gas imports, equipment, and energy restoration, but stressed the need for combined efforts with the US to deter Putin. He specifically highlighted the importance of US support, including long-range weapons and further sanctions, and expressed hope for engagement from US leadership in this endeavor.
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Zelenskyy’s plea for help, and the undeniable reality of the situation, is that stopping Putin requires a unified front, a partnership between the United States and Europe. It’s clear that neither can tackle this problem alone. Russia isn’t simply going to withdraw, regardless of the situation.
The United States faces its own internal hurdles. There are legitimate concerns that the US government has been compromised. If you believe the US is filled with Russian assets, then it follows that they’ll only ever offer superficial support. The failures of counter-intelligence within the US, particularly surrounding the 2016 election, are hard to overlook. This suggests a hesitancy, or inability, to fully commit to stopping Putin.
Europe must also shoulder its share of the responsibility. While there is no appetite for a full-scale war or invasion of Russia within Europe, a combined effort is needed. The absence of a strong, unified response leaves Russia emboldened. They know that Europe is unlikely to cross certain lines. The situation in Ukraine isn’t just a regional conflict; it’s a desperate attempt by Russia to regain some of its old empire, and it is also damaging Russia’s own future.
The rhetoric of “standing with Ukraine” while simultaneously refusing to commit significant resources, like troops, planes, or long-range weapons, is ultimately insufficient. Russia isn’t going to simply concede. The complex dynamics between key players makes it even more difficult. The U.S. is facing challenges that make it less likely to act decisively. Europe may be reluctant to disrupt their daily lives, even if it means Ukraine’s potential downfall. But if Ukraine falls, it could very well mean that Russia will come knocking on Europe’s door next.
To make an impact, there needs to be a shift in strategy. Striking at Russian infrastructure, particularly the pipelines and pumping facilities that supply oil and gas, could weaken Russia’s ability to wage war. Cutting off their access to revenue could have a significant impact. Russia does not have the technology and manpower to keep things operational.
The comparisons of GDP are not as helpful as the Purchasing Power Parity figures. Russia’s economy, when viewed through this lens, is much more substantial. They have the resources to sustain a prolonged conflict, while other nations may struggle. There are varying opinions in the West of what is needed, and many believe troops are not the right move. The focus must be on strategic and material support to shift the momentum.
The stakes are high. If Ukraine falls, Russia’s war machine could be turned westward, threatening the security of Europe. It’s possible that France, or other nations, could send troops to act as a tripwire, to deter further Russian advances. But any direct confrontation would be a major escalation.
The possibility of a wider conflict involving China and Taiwan adds another layer of complexity. If the US is forced to fight in Asia, it would be much harder to devote resources to European defense, and then Europe would face defending itself nearly 100%. Russia needs to be defeated in a way that doesn’t trigger global war.
The idea of sending in troops, especially US troops, is a dangerous one. It could escalate into a direct war with Russia. While the goal is to defend a European ally, putting boots on the ground would be a declaration of war, and any steps toward this must be calculated with extreme care. The risk of nuclear escalation, given the vast arsenals of both the US and Russia, is very real. It’s crucial to distinguish between defending against troops in another country and initiating a direct attack. Drawing a line between the two will be essential to containing this conflict.
It’s clear that both the US and Europe must come together to take on Russia, but it will not be easy. The complexities and the risks are high. The need for a coordinated strategy, and the commitment of all the resources, is paramount.