Bottom Line
- Few in Moscow or Washington believe that Europe can hold the line and help Ukraine resist the Russian onslaught without US assistance. Yet this view may be mistaken.
- European countries demonstrated impressive resilience in withstanding Russia’s energy blackmail last winter. Building on this success, an emboldened, determined Europe could enable Ukraine to resist, even as the US government remains paralyzed.
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered Europe’s sense of security in a way that it has not for the United States. So, just as America’s resolve has diminished steadily over the last two years, Europe’s has only increased.
When it comes to supporting Ukraine, the European Union has taken a decisive
lead over the United States. On February 1, Brussels
passed a massive, four-year, 50 billion euro (roughly $53.7 billion) package of aid to Ukraine. At the same time, a proposed
$60 billion aid package to Kyiv
remains blocked in Congress due to opposition from House Republicans. Absent a political deal on Capitol Hill, Europe may be on its own in backing Ukraine for the foreseeable future.
Which begs the question: Can Europe hold the line and help Ukraine resist the Russian onslaught?
Few in Moscow and Washington believe that Europe can do so without US assistance. Russian leaders and Western realists
dismiss European defense capabilities and view the war as a great-power conflict between the United States and Russia. Yet European countries demonstrated impressive resilience in withstanding Russia’s
energy blackmail last winter. Building on this success, an emboldened, determined Europe could help Ukraine to resist, while the US government remains paralyzed.
Europe Accelerates While America Stalls
While America’s
impressive commitment to Ukraine has diminished steadily over the last two years, Europe’s has increased.
