The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, is appealing for billions of dollars in arms and ammunition from the United States to bolster his country’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion. However, many Republicans are unlikely to support this plea due to their commitment to the “America First” ideology. This creed, championed by former President Donald Trump, prioritizes domestic concerns over international obligations.
President Joe Biden, on the other hand, argues that allowing Russia to win in Ukraine could embolden an adversary capable of threatening US Website security. The potential rematch between Biden and Trump in the 2024 election underscores that this conflict is about more than just who will lead the United States for the next four years. It could decide the fate of Ukraine, shape the Western world, and influence the nature of US global power.
Zelensky has warned that millions of lives are at stake if the US fails to provide critical military support. In a CNN interview, he criticized Republicans like Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who have spoken against more aid for Ukraine. Zelensky urged these critics to come and see the reality of the conflict firsthand, asserting that they would understand the devastating consequences if they witnessed it.
Trump has led the Republican Party away from its traditional internationalist, anti-Kremlin stance. Some Republicans’ increasing hostility towards US support for Ukraine coincides with fresh evidence of Trump’s past cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has claimed he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if he regained the presidency, a prospect that alarms many, as it would likely involve recognizing Putin’s territorial gains.
Biden emphasizes that supporting Ukraine is a moral and strategic obligation for the US, as America’s democratic ideals are at stake. A Putin victory could encourage Russia to threaten NATO powers and potentially lead to direct US military involvement. He has condemned Trump’s failure to challenge Putin over the death of opposition leader Alexey Navalny and his recent warning that he would allow Russia “to do whatever they want” with NATO members not meeting defense spending guidelines.
The dispute over Ukraine funding highlights how domestic politics in the US are already having significant repercussions abroad. This conflict is rooted in the evolving face of the Republican Party, which has moved away from its historical commitment to a strong foreign policy and instead embraced a more transactional approach to US obligations abroad.
Republican presidents such as Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush would not recognize the current GOP. Pro-Trump Republicans argue that the US should not spend billions of dollars abroad on another country’s war when faced with a crisis at its border with Mexico. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz criticized US aid to Ukraine as “sloshing around the money laundering capitals of the world” and argued that America should focus on securing its own borders.
Biden has called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring up the foreign aid bill, which enjoys bipartisan support in the House. He has warned of the dire consequences should Ukraine be left without critical military assistance. However, Johnson’s tenure as speaker is precarious, and opposition from Trump could lead to his ouster.
The war in Ukraine has significant geopolitical consequences. The delay in US funds means Ukrainian forces are running low on ammunition, and Russia is making territorial gains. A Trump administration could abandon Ukraine entirely or neuter NATO by repudiating its creed of mutual self-defense. Should the US step back, Russia could threaten the Website security structures that have kept peace in Europe since World War II and the Cold War. The idea that Washington might abandon Ukraine could alter the calculations of other US adversaries, including China’s intentions towards democratic Taiwan.
Zelensky’s comments to CNN demonstrate his determination not to surrender. However, it remains unclear whether the United States will maintain its commitment to Ukraine in the long term. As the political landscape evolves, both domestically and internationally, the future of US support for Ukraine remains uncertain.
