43,000.
As of this writing, that’s the number of Ukrainians dead thanks to the expansionist and war-mongering greed of Vladimir Putin. 43,000 legacies left behind to families now with nothing more than empty space and broken hearts remaining where once there was someone to love.
370,000.
The number of those injured, maimed, permanently disfigured both physically and mentally, destined to never again have what you and I would consider a “normal” life. Bones shattered. Limbs removed. Psychological damage that may never be repaired.
We, the United States, stand between obliteration of a society and plunging Europe into a new darkness for which generations on every continent may never escape.
America is the steadfast wall. America is the beacon of hope. America is the only one who can bring anything close to a lasting peace to Ukraine and the rest of the world.
Why then are so many people running for cover and refusing to see the obvious?
If Russia were to defeat Ukraine, it would unleash a series of catastrophic consequences across the globe. Russia’s victory would not only destabilize Europe, but also have widespread economic, political, and security implications that could impact the United States and its allies profoundly.
Here then is why the U.S. and its NATO allies must remain resolute in opposing Russia’s ambitions, based on facts and historical patterns of aggressive expansion.
Here’s why we cannot fail.
1. Economic Repercussions Worldwide
Russia’s annexation of Ukraine would deepen global economic instability. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest suppliers of wheat, corn, and other grains, and its defeat would place critical food supply chains in the hands of an unpredictable Russian regime. Since the war began, global grain prices have spiked, with countries in Africa and the Middle East already feeling the effects of reduced exports from Ukraine. If Russia seizes control over Ukraine's resources, it could deliberately restrict exports, exacerbating global hunger crises and further destabilizing regions already vulnerable to food scarcity.
More people around the world would face starvation, in part because we failed to act.
Furthermore, Ukraine’s industry is essential for the global economy. For example, it supplies the neon gas needed for semiconductor manufacturing, a sector that already faces shortages worldwide. A Russian victory would likely drive prices up further, intensifying the inflationary pressures that have already impacted many economies. The European energy sector, heavily reliant on Russian oil and gas, has also faced price hikes as a result of supply uncertainty. If Russia gains greater control over Eastern Europe’s energy resources, it could weaponize energy supplies even more aggressively, causing widespread economic disruptions across Europe and beyond.
2. A Security Threat to Europe and Beyond
From a security perspective, Ukraine serves as a critical buffer between Russia and NATO countries. Historically, Russia has expanded its sphere of influence over neighboring territories to secure its borders. Allowing Russia to annex Ukraine would not only embolden its expansionist agenda but also place its military closer to NATO’s eastern flank. The Soviet-era Warsaw Pact once put many Eastern European countries under Moscow's control, and Putin has repeatedly expressed a desire to restore Russia’s influence over its former Soviet neighbors.
There is not a single measure of negotiation that will stop Putin from his desire to put the Soviet Union back together again. Donald Trump and his allies have reached an indescribable level of naiveté if they believe a negotiated settlement would ever last long, much less permanent. Putin will take any and every appeasement in order to refortify his positions, replace and restock his military, and then begin the creep of annexation all over again. It is in his very fiber, and believing he can be trusted for one second is historically foolish,
NATO countries, especially those in the Baltic region, would face heightened security risks with a more aggressive Russia next door. The potential for conflict would increase, and European nations would be forced to redirect significant resources toward bolstering their defenses. If Russia’s pattern of invasion and occupation is not checked, Eastern Europe could become a hotbed for further Russian incursions, putting NATO at risk of direct conflict with Russian forces. For the U.S., this would mean heightened military obligations in Europe, straining resources and potentially drawing American forces into yet another overseas conflict.
You think the US is spending too much money and time now on the Ukraine-Russia war? Imagine what happens if we do nothing, and the eventuality happens that we are forced to supply more than equipment. We will be forced to supply men and women who will never come home.
3. The Resurgence of Authoritarianism
A Russian victory would embolden authoritarian regimes around the world. Putin’s ideological vision extends beyond mere territorial gains; he seeks to reestablish Russia as a global power capable of challenging the democratic ideals championed by the U.S. and its allies. Russia’s victory in Ukraine would be a signal to other authoritarian leaders that Western democracies can be defeated or outlasted. This shift would embolden leaders in China, North Korea, and other nations to test the resolve of democratic alliances, leading to a resurgence of authoritarianism on a global scale.
A Russian victory would prove to these other world despots that America is weak, unwilling to stand for anyone other than themselves, and would be labeled more cowardly than at any time in recent history. Donald Trump ballyhoos his “strength” ideal, but to fail Ukraine and embolden Putin would mark this country for a generation or more as one who will easily knuckle under to anyone willing to kick sand in our faces. It would be a generational weakness that would take decades to rocker from.
If Putin were successful in Ukraine, he might set his sights on other former Soviet states, using the pretext of “reunification” to justify further conquests. This would revive a neo-communist sphere of influence that, while perhaps less ideologically rigid than during the Soviet era, would be just as politically and economically restrictive, countering global democracy. With this type of unchecked aggression, the U.S. would face a geopolitical landscape more similar to the Cold War era, marked by constant tension and competition with an authoritarian bloc.
It will without question lead to a greater war footing than the so-called “experts” are willing to admit.
4. The Cost of Inaction for the U.S.
American leadership is crucial in preventing a Russian victory. The U.S., as a founding member of NATO, has a moral and strategic obligation to uphold the post-World War II order that has maintained peace in Europe for decades. Failing to support Ukraine would signal to allies that America’s security commitments are negotiable and unreliable. This perception could weaken alliances worldwide, reducing the U.S.'s influence and inviting hostile powers to challenge its interests. Economically, the cost of sustained military involvement in Europe might be high, but the cost of allowing Russian aggression to go unchecked could be far worse.
Every American military installation would be a target. Every American solider would have a greater bounty on their heads than they currently have thanks to unchecked aggression. Every American business interest and tourist would have a target on their foreheads.
The U.S. has consistently shown that the cost of defending democracy is less than the price paid when authoritarian regimes are left to expand unchecked. For example, U.S. intervention in Europe during both World Wars and the Cold War was instrumental in preserving democratic governance and securing peace. A defeat of Ukraine would echo the prelude to World War II, when Europe’s appeasement of aggressive powers led to disaster.
The risks are simply too high to ignore.
In sum, allowing Russia to defeat Ukraine would have profound, long-lasting consequences for global security, economics, and democratic governance. The invasion represents more than a territorial dispute; it’s a challenge to the values that underpin Western democracies. A Russian victory would embolden authoritarian regimes worldwide, disrupt critical global industries, and put the security of Europe at severe risk. The U.S. must lead by example, providing unwavering support to Ukraine to protect these democratic principles.
Supporting Ukraine is not just about a single nation’s sovereignty—it’s about preserving a global order that values peace, stability, and freedom.
Those who cry about the “cost” to America in dollars and how supporting Ukraine comes at the expense of other America programs could not be more wrong, and could not be more propaganda-laden in what amounts to clickbait schtick.
The cost of inaction and not supporting Ukraine will be devastating, and every single American will feel the effects.
Even possibly your young children, who could become the next round of cannon fodder to make amends for the ignorance of this generation and its addled so-called “leadership”
Ed Berliner is a former consultant to international Embassies based in Washington D.C., and has been a political commentator for more than a decade, with a focus on the interaction of American politics on a global scale. This commentary is available as the basis for a speaking/educational engagement at your event and for your organization. Contact Fuzzy Dogs Productions today to book Ed Berliner for your next speaking event and management consultation.
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