The Final Six Months of U.S. Aid for Ukraine
If Trump wins, Kyiv’s cause is in danger. Biden must prepare for that possibility.
The Ukrainian people may be six months away from losing military aid from the United States—again. President Joe Biden, however, seems not to recognize any urgency. When ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked him how he’d feel if Donald Trump defeated him in November, Biden responded, “I’ll feel as long as I gave it my all and I did the good as job as I know I can do, that’s what this is about.” Biden’s personal feelings will be small consolation to the Ukrainian people, for whom Trump’s return could prove deadly.
Last year, the former president helped engineer what turned out to be an approximately four-month interruption in U.S. assistance to Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022. Trump has vowed to end the war quickly, which would likely mean letting Russia keep territory it seized in 2022 and giving Russian President Vladimir Putin an advantageous position for future invasions. Trump is leading in the polls. Biden’s administration—which has supported Ukraine steadfastly, albeit overcautiously in many respects—should be taking aggressive steps now to bolster that beleaguered country’s self-defense while it still can.
Enjoy a year of unlimited access to The Atlantic—including every story on our site and app, subscriber newsletters, and more.
Become a SubscriberThe administration could try to Trump-proof Ukraine specifically, and help Europe in general, in three different ways.
The first thing the U.S. should do now is help Ukraine stockpile weaponry. Rather perversely, the administration has actually under-delivered on the aid that it was supposed to give Ukraine over the past year. A few billion dollars of congressionally authorized money went unspent at the end of 2023.
Never miss a story. Start your free trial.
Uncompromising quality. Enduring impact.
Your support ensures a bright future for independent journalism.
Already have an account? Sign in
