Two years have passed since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, and the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) continues to recognize the bravery of the Ukrainian people and works towards supporting Ukraine’s ultimate victory.
For ten years, Ukraine has resisted Russian imperialism and continues to fight for its existence. This is also a struggle to uphold the international rules-based order that the United States helped to create. We are reminded of this as NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, and Ukraine aspires to join the alliance, which would provide an ironclad shield for the rest of Europe. JBANC firmly believes countries have a right to choose their allies, and categorically denounces Putin’s antiquated worldview that endorses imperial revanchism.
The past year has proven difficult on the battlefront for Ukraine. Russian forces are digging in, and the threat of a frozen conflict looms. The Ukrainians are increasingly forced to a strategic defense for 2024 without proper equipment and ammunition. Enabling Ukraine to regain momentum and a decisive ultimate victory requires the unified support of the United States and European allies.
The war has dramatically transformed Europe’s security environment, especially on NATO’s eastern flank. The European Union has recently agreed to $54 billion in loans and grants to Ukraine over the next four years. Furthermore, an expected 18 out of 31 NATO allies will meet the 2% GDP threshold in 2024. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania continue to lead by example, spending well over 2% of their GDP on defense, and they are among the top five providers of Ukraine aid as a percentage of GDP.
While we welcome European support for Ukraine, we express our concern about partisanship in the U.S., which jeopardizes our national security by preventing essential aid from reaching Ukraine. We greatly appreciate the U.S. Senate reaching a bipartisan consensus, with 70 senators voting for national security legislation, which includes $60 billion in Ukraine aid. We call on House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring this bill to a vote immediately. Without adequate assistance, Ukraine’s defense will be severely compromised, handing the initiative to Moscow to continue its murderous warpath – and putting our NATO allies at risk long term. By not stopping Putin now, we risk additional U.S. resources later, including the possibility of sending our soldiers into harm’s way. The choice is clear.
We will continue to work with our dear friends and colleagues in the Ukrainian community and with Congress to do everything possible to ensure Ukraine receives what is necessary. Putin can only win if the United States does not have the resolve to secure Ukraine’s victory.
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Photo credit: Arlington National Cemetery. Service Members wait for the start of a full honors wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, June 15, 2016, in Arlington, Va. Volodymyr Groysman, prime minister of Ukraine, laid the wreath. (U.S. Army photo by Rachel Larue/Arlington National Cemetery/released)