Ukraine’s defensive battle against Vladimir Putin’s aggressive invasion continues to drag on. Yet, President Biden persists with his too little, too late approach to military support.
Biden remains unwilling to lift the restrictions he has imposed on the use of American military assistance. He still hesitates to provide the most advanced long-range weaponry and maintains his ban on deep attacks inside Russia. And what about those fighter jets?
At one point, Biden insisted that Ukrainian military forces avoid any incursions and attacks within Russia. He only publicly changed his stance after Ukraine began targeting military sites across the border.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has pleaded with Biden to supply long-range weapons and remove any restrictions. Several former American military commanders featured on news programs have also advocated for providing these weapons and lifting the restrictions. Yet, nothing has changed.
The White House defends Biden’s reluctance by arguing that Zelenskyy is managing well enough without the advanced weaponry. But “well enough” does not equate to winning the war; it merely prolongs it. That is simply not sufficient.
The truth is that Ukraine’s military has exceeded all expectations. Let’s not forget how the world anticipated a quick Russian victory when Putin’s forces first marched toward Kyiv. Ukrainians turned that offensive into a military disaster and a significant embarrassment for Putin.
This wasn’t the only embarrassment for the Madman of Moscow. Ukrainians sank Putin’s flagship, The Moskva, along with other vessels. They have effectively stopped Russian forces from capturing much more territory than they held before the conflict. The planned advance to take Odesa was halted. And now, Ukrainian forces have gained control of the Kursk region within Russia. Putin has sacrificed hundreds of thousands of his young men. Imagine what Ukraine could achieve with advanced long-range weapons and fighter jets.
In response to their faltering ground campaign, Putin is resorting to air power to attack civilian and energy infrastructure, committing war crimes on a routine basis. It’s time for Biden to provide Ukraine with everything they need to win the war. And I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of NATO troops on the ground.
Biden needs to act swiftly. Given Trump’s recent comments, I fear he might be even more hesitant than Biden concerning Ukraine—and I’m uncertain about where Harris stands on the issue. What I do know is that she does not appear to stand firmly with Israel in the Hamas conflict.
Defeating Putin is vital for the security of the United States, NATO, and the free world, period.
