Zelensky’s Plight: Ukraine’s Loss is NATO’s Loss, Should US Join the War?

The situation in Ukraine is reaching a critical point, and President Volodymyr Zelensky is sounding the alarm. He warns that if the war with Russia continues until the end of the year, the consequences could be catastrophic for Ukraine and for NATO as a whole. His statement came in response to calls from some US politicians to limit spending on the war in Ukraine, but Zelensky is urging world leaders to see the bigger picture. In this blog, we’ll explore the urgency of his message, the potential domino effect on NATO, and the facts and details behind this complex and dangerous situation.

During his interview with NBC News, Zelensky talked about the importance of the US stepping in to help prevent this “collapse.”

“If Ukraine would lose, if Russia would occupy Ukraine, Russia will continue to going towards Baltic countries, Poland, etcetera. And they will start war with one of the NATO countries and at this moment, the US would have to choose the collapse of NATO or go to war.”

The Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, are former Soviet states located on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. They share a border with Russia, which has caused concern among the Baltic states and their NATO allies.

After Russia annexed Crimea and involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the Baltic states have become increasingly wary of Russian aggression. NATO has responded to this concern by increasing its regional presence through military exercises and troop rotations.

However, the Baltic states would become an even more vulnerable target if Ukraine fell to Russian influence. Russia has shown a willingness to use military force to achieve its territorial ambitions, and the Baltic states’ proximity to Russia makes them particularly vulnerable.

The Baltic states have taken steps to increase their defense capabilities, such as requiring conscription and spending more on defense. They have also sought more significant assistance from NATO, including the presence of allied troops in the region.

So, just as Zelensky states, the fall of Ukraine to Russian influence could have severe implications for the security of the Baltic states. Continued support and cooperation with NATO will be crucial in ensuring their defense against potential aggression from Russia.

Should America Go To War?

The US has been a fervent supporter of Ukraine from the very beginning. We also have veterans who volunteered to go to Ukraine and assist in any way possible. With the billions of donations so far, is it fair for Zelensky to ask America to actively participate in war at this point?

With this, America is still divided. We have Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis saying the Ukraine-Russia war is a “territorial dispute” that the US should not be directly involved in. In his interview with Piers Morgan, he said that it is evident that Russia was in the wrong. However, the situation still does not justify America’s war with Ukraine. 

“And so if I should have made that more clear, I could have done it,” he said. “But I think the larger point is, okay, Russia is not showing the ability to take over Ukraine, to topple the government, or certainly to threaten NATO. That’s a good thing. They’ve been weakened. You now have the fighting in those areas.”

Last Fall, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy defended Republicans who were scrutinizing our aid budget for Ukraine, saying they were trying to create accountability over taxpayers’ money. 

“I think Ukraine is very important. I support making sure that we move forward to defeat Russia in that program. But there should be no blank check on anything. We are $31 trillion in debt,” McCarthy said on CNBC.

“It’s amazing to me that that somehow made news,” McCarthy added. “Wouldn’t you want a check and balance in Congress? Wouldn’t you want this hardworking taxpayers’ money, someone overseeing it? We’ve got to eliminate the wasteful spending in Washington.”

The United States has an important decision to make: should it actively participate in Ukraine’s war against Russia? To answer this question, we must consider the options available to the US and their possible implications.

Since the US is already providing military aid to Ukraine, another option is for the US to remain neutral in the conflict. This would allow both sides to negotiate a peaceful resolution without outside interference from major powers like the US or Russia. It would also reduce the risk of further escalation or direct confrontation between US and Russian forces. However, it could also be seen as a sign of weakness by Russia, which may embolden them to continue their aggression against Ukraine unchecked.

Then, there is always the possibility that the US could take a more active role in resolving the conflict through diplomatic means, such as sanctions or negotiations with both sides. This approach would not involve any direct military action on either side but could still have significant consequences for both countries involved in the conflict.

Ultimately, whether or not the United States should get involved in Ukraine’s war against Russia depends on its broader geopolitical goals and objectives. If protecting Ukrainian sovereignty is considered an important priority for American foreign policy, then providing military aid may be necessary to achieve that goal. On the other hand, if avoiding direct confrontation with Russia is seen as more critical, then remaining neutral may be preferable. Whatever path is chosen must be done so carefully, with consideration given to all possible outcomes before any action is taken.

For our military, getting involved in Ukraine’s war against Russia carries risks but also offers potential rewards if done correctly and strategically. Providing military aid can help bolster Ukrainian forces while avoiding direct confrontation with Russian forces and can help de-escalate tensions between both countries without sacrificing American interests or values in doing so. Ultimately though, it will be up to policy-makers and leaders within both countries to decide how best to resolve this ongoing conflict peacefully while protecting their respective national interests at home and abroad.

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