The recent standoff between Russia and the West has brought to light the limitations of the support being offered to Ukraine. Despite the unanimous condemnation of Russian aggression by both Americans and Europeans, there are still weaknesses in the West’s approach.
At the G-7 summit in Italy, US President Joe Biden pledged unwavering support for Ukraine, stating that they would not give in to Russia. The communiqué emphasized the urgency of the situation and called on Russia to stop its actions. The G-7 also announced a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, financed by frozen Russian assets, as well as a military support agreement between the US and Ukraine.
NATO has taken on the coordination of military support for Ukraine, signaling a shared responsibility with Europe. However, despite these efforts, it is clear that the West’s support falls short of what is needed to prevent Ukraine’s subjugation by Russia. The measures taken so far have been seen as insufficient to bring about decisive change on the battlefield.
The G-7 also called out China for its support of Russia’s military industry, urging China to stop transferring weapons components to Russia. The West is putting pressure on China to persuade Russia to end the war and work towards a peaceful resolution. However, overall support for Ukraine is still seen as lacking in military commitment.
The potential of a Trump presidency in the upcoming US election adds uncertainty to the West’s support for Ukraine. If Trump decides to withdraw support for Ukraine or take a more conciliatory stance towards Russia, it could lead to a further deterioration of relations between Russia and the West. As such, it is important that all parties remain committed to preventing any further aggression by Putin’s regime.
Overall, while Western leaders have shown unity in condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine, their actions have fallen short of what is needed to prevent Putin from achieving his objectives. It remains uncertain how long this standoff will continue and what its outcome will be unless stronger action is taken by both sides.
