As russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine continues, voices questioning the costs of supporting Ukraine’s robust defense are growing louder. “Don’t we have enough problems at home?” some ask. “Can we really afford this?” demand others. While understandable, these questions miss the forest for the trees. Supporting Ukraine is not some charitable donation or act of altruism – it serves the national interests of all democratic societies. Moreover, the staggering costs of this war originate directly from moscow’s unprovoked aggression. Each day russia persists compounds the bills owed for generations. Though the decisions are difficult, the morality is clear – we must stand with Ukraine.
When schoolyard bullies demand lunch money, responsible adults do not chastise victims for fighting back. Ukraine did nothing to instigate russia’s violence. It presents no threat to russia’s security or people. putin alone decided to upend Europe’s stability to pursue deluded imperialist ambitions. As russia shells nurseries, destroys critical infrastructure, and drives 14 million Ukrainians from their homes, it makes the entire world less safe and free. The blame for shattered families, razed villages, starving cities, and drained budgets lies squarely with the kremlin. How can any nation that claims enlightened values not support Ukraine’s courageous stand?
I continue to hear concerns that supporting Ukraine against russian invasion is costly and takes away resources from other needs. While it is true that war brings tremendous costs, it is important to accurately place blame and responsibility. The reality is that every dollar spent and every resource utilized to aid Ukraine is the direct result of russia’s unjustified aggression towards and invasion of its peaceful neighbour.
The costs of this war, from disrupting energy markets to straining military budgets to providing humanitarian aid and rebuilding destroyed towns and cities, stem from decisions made by putin and the kremlin to pursue violence. Each innocent life lost, every building reduced to rubble, and all distress experienced by refugees fleeing violence is attributable to russia’s active choice to reject peace and illegally annex Ukrainian territory.
Rather than see the support for Ukraine’s self-defense as wasteful, it should be viewed as an investment in the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that underpin global security and stability. The alternative, to leave Ukraine isolated and exposed, risks emboldening authoritarian regimes and green lighting further deadly land grabs.
Yes, resources provided to Ukraine could be used elsewhere. But that would only be the case if russia ceased its unprovoked attacks on civilians and ended its illegal occupation. The costs Ukraine’s allies bear to protect the innocent stem wholly and directly from the kremlin’s terror tactics and desire to upend the international order. We must continue supporting Ukraine’s resistance not in spite of the high costs, but precisely because russia’s leadership has forced these costs upon the world. The blame sits squarely on the shoulders of putin, not the displaced Ukrainians and Ukrainian people courageously defending their homeland.
The stakes stretch far beyond Ukraine’s borders. Ceding territory, lives, and sovereignty to blunt aggression today risks far greater loss of life and liberty tomorrow. If we allow russia to violently redraw maps and decide the fates of free peoples, it sets a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes everywhere. Ukrainians are fighting valiantly for values like democracy and self-determination that underpin free societies around the world. As russia bombardment schools, hospitals, and civilian centers, razes villages, and displaces over 14 million Ukrainians, they make the world less stable, less prosperous, and less free.
Continuing to support Ukraine’s fight, despite the undeniable economic and social hardships created by russia’s war machine, serves not just Ukraine’s interests but the interests of all democratic nations. Every victory for Ukrainian defenders is a victory for the rules-based international order.
Moreover, russia must and will be made to pay for generations of damage, loss of life, loss of opportunity, and suffering in Ukraine and globally. The sanctions and seized assets thus far are down payments on the immense debts incurred by russia’s violence. The sooner the people of russia understand how evil and self-defeating their government’s imperialist aggression is, the less russia’s future generations will continue paying the price. Ukrainians did not choose this war, but they heroically shoulder the burdens to protect their sovereignty. The least global democracies can do is match a fraction of their bravery with concrete support. No matter the economic and political sacrifices required, we must stand with Ukraine, or risk far greater sacrifices down the line.
Furthermore, it must be clearly stated that peace can only happen when russia ends its invasion and aggression. If russia ceased fighting today and withdrew to Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, the violence would end. Ukraine poses no threat to russia when left to guide its own territory and destiny. However, if Ukraine stopped defending itself and its land, it would mean the end of a sovereign Ukrainian state. russia intends to destroy Ukraine either by direct annihilation or forcing a puppet government to bend entirely to the kremlin’s will. No free nation can accept such an outcome. So while economic pressures mount and populations grow weary, we must remember that the power to stop this war lies entirely with moscow. Either russia leaves Ukraine, or Ukraine ceases to exist – those are the stark choices thrust upon the world. The moral responsibility of supporting Ukraine’s fight could not be more clear.
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