Analysis: Ukraine has had a bad week. Blame the United States and the European Union

Ukraine's Week: A Tough Time to Be a Supporter

It's not an easy time to be an advocate for Ukraine. Criticism of the United States and the European Union's handling of the Ukraine crisis is at an all-time high. And with good reason. The situation in Ukraine is bleak, and the international community's response has been lacking.

Let's be clear: Ukraine has had a rough week. And it's not just the Russian troops on the border. It's the poor communication and inconsistent support from the West.

The lack of understanding in some parts of the US Congress is concerning. This week, a member of Congress suggested that Ukraine should set a limited goal and price tag for its military efforts. It's hard to believe that Congress has such short memory, given that the US has launched two wars in the past two decades at its own discretion, costing billions of dollars.

Ukraine's response has been to focus on past achievements and future goals, rather than dwelling on setbacks. But the reality is that the front line is not in a good place. Reports of casualties and setbacks are coming in from all fronts.

One of the biggest challenges for Ukraine is the constant bombardment of missiles from Russian forces. According to Ukrainian officials, the country is under attack nearly every night, with most of the missiles being intercepted. But as long as the US financial support for Ukraine's air defenses remains uncertain, the country's infrastructure remains at risk.

Ukraine's President Zelensky has had a difficult week as well. His symbolic victory of starting EU membership negotiations was overshadowed by the lack of a clear path forward. And with Hungary ready to veto EU funding for the war in Ukraine, Zelensky faces a financial crisis.

But perhaps the biggest challenge for Ukraine is the fact that its American ally is divided. Zelensky's Washington trip and his heartfelt pleas for support have fallen on deaf ears. The delays and politicking in the US Congress have made it difficult for Ukraine to receive the critical support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression.

In the end, Ukraine is left to face the Russian threat alone, with limited resources and dwindling support. The stakes are high. If Russia is not stopped now, it could soon pose a threat to the NATO border. And that's a scenario no one wants to see.

Enrichment Data:

Financial Aid from the US and EU

After the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, the EU has provided comprehensive support to Ukraine totaling at least €122 billion. This includes €60 billion in financial, budgetary, and humanitarian aid, €45.5 billion in military assistance through the European Peace Fund and individual member states, and €1.5 billion allocated from frozen Russian assets proceeds for defense contracts[1][2].

As of January 8, 2025, the US has provided a total of $66.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the conflict[2]. Additionally, the US has pledged $31.2 billion in financial aid to Ukraine's general budget fund and $1 billion from the G7's ERA Mechanism, which is expected to give an additional $19 billion in funds obtained from the sale of frozen Russian assets[2].

Impact of Financial Aid on the Conflict with Russia

The financial and military aid from both the EU and the US have been crucial in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia. The aid has helped Ukraine maintain its defense, alleviate humanitarian crises, and support reconstruction efforts[5][6]. However, delays and inconsistencies in financial support have placed additional strain on Ukraine's stretched-out finances, affecting various sectors[3].

Overall, both the EU and the US have played a significant role in supporting Ukraine during the conflict with Russia. The financial and military aid they have provided have helped Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression and rebuild from the damages.

Sources: