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Rubin: U.S. must not falter in its support of Ukraine
By Trudy Rubin
Published: December 26, 2022, 6:01am
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The scene couldn’t have been more dramatic.
Ten months after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, when Western experts expected Kyiv to fall in three days, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stood in his trademark military sweatshirt before a joint session of Congress Wednesday night. “Against all odds and doom-and-gloom scenarios,” he proclaimed, “Ukraine didn’t fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking.”
Like Winston Churchill, who made a historic address to Congress in December 1941, asking for help to battle Adolf Hitler, the Ukrainian president traveled from the front lines to Washington, to convince U.S. leaders that their backing could enable Kyiv to defeat a dangerous tyrant. A tyrant who threatens the democratic West.
Yet, unlike Churchill, the Ukrainian leader insisted that Kyiv didn’t need U.S. troops, but only weapons for its fighters to defeat Vladimir Putin.
The audience cheered wildly and some even wept (though many GOP legislators were AWOL and some of the MAGA crowd kept their hands in their pockets). Most legislators knew they were in the presence of a true hero.
Yet, despite the fervent applause, despite the effusive welcome by President Joe Biden and his commitment to continue aid, there was a worried undertone to Zelenskyy’s speech.
The Ukrainian leader was clearly concerned that, despite Biden’s words, the U.S. wouldn’t give Kyiv the weapons systems it most needs, and swiftly enough to save his country.
Part of Zelenskyy’s problem is uncertainty about the impact of GOP control of the House of Representatives, where a growing number of Republicans are skeptical about giving more aid to Ukraine. Although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warmly welcomed the Ukrainian president, it’s not clear how many of his flock share his views.
MAGA isolationists show zero comprehension that Putin’s aggression and nuclear saber-rattling present a danger that goes far beyond Ukraine, potentially threatening our NATO allies and the United States.
Zelenskyy was spot on when he told Congress: “Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
Biden agreed, as he repeatedly made clear at a news conference with Zelenskyy earlier that day, pledging to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” He deserves credit for including $45 billion in Ukraine aid in the omnibus spending bill that made its way through Congress and awaited Biden’s signature as of this writing.
And two cheers for the belated White House decision to approve one Patriot missile defense battery to protect against Russian ballistic missiles.
Yet the White House always seems several steps behind the curve when it comes to giving Ukraine the weapons systems it needs when it needs them most.
And when Zelenskyy told Congress: “We have artillery, yes. Thank you. Is it enough? Honestly, not really,” he is not just a typical military commander who always wants more. He is a courageous leader waging an existential battle.
I felt total sympathy for the Ukrainian journalist who plaintively asked at the news conference: “Can we make a long story short and give Ukraine all capabilities it needs and liberate all territories sooner rather than later?”
Biden responded that such a move might upset nervous NATO allies who “are not looking for a third World War.” But the longer this war drags on, the riskier it becomes. And if the West falters before Putin, his threats will only become more frequent.
“You can speed up our victory,” Zelenskyy urged Congress.
Just as Churchill’s courage, backed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s help, defeated German fascists, a victory for Ukraine against the Ruscists (as Ukraine calls Putin’s circle) would also be ours.
