Former U.S. diplomats have stressed that the country cannot credibly defend freedom in the world while considering the survival of a democracy under attack as a bargaining chip. Russia's war against Ukraine is not merely a territorial dispute; it is a test of whether democratic countries will defend the principles that secure their freedom or allow an autocratic aggressor to destroy those principles through military force, terror, and economic coercion.
Russia's Aggression and Its Consequences
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been illegal and includes attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, on charges of war crimes. These serious allegations demand accountability, and while Ukraine continues to fight for its survival, the current U.S. policy raises fundamental questions: Does Washington understand what is at stake?
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The Importance of Supporting Ukraine
If Moscow succeeds in subjugating Ukraine, other autocratic leaders will also ask themselves whether military conquest can be successful. Are U.S. commitments reliable? Will democratic countries stand together when the political price rises? Defending Ukraine is not merely an act of charity; it is a strategic investment in American and European security, Washington's credibility, and deterrence against future conflicts.
After World War II, the United States realized that an international order based on sovereignty, freedom, and the rule of law was in its favor. Successive Republican and Democratic administrations have understood that unchecked autocratic expansion threatens U.S. security and the independence of its allies. This understanding should guide U.S. policy toward Russia today.
Diplomacy is essential. Negotiations to end the war must be pursued seriously. However, peace cannot mean rewarding aggression, forcing Ukraine to surrender its sovereignty, or giving Moscow time to rearm for another attack.
A settlement that leaves Ukraine defenseless will only postpone the conflict and will not resolve it. Peace must be measured by whether it preserves Ukraine's independence and reduces the likelihood of another war.
The history of U.S. policy will not only judge the immediate costs of weapons, energy, or sanctions but will also assess whether America stood with a nation fighting for survival, upheld the principles it has asked of others, and helped prevent future wars.
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