Supporting Ukraine: A Test of Western Resolve

The ongoing war in Ukraine is not only a battle for the nation's sovereignty but a litmus test for the integrity of the Western democratic order. If the European Union and Western democracies fail to support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s aggression, they will expose the hollowness of the very principles they claim to champion: freedom, justice, and the right of nations to self-determination.

As I return to Ukraine, the atmosphere is undeniably grim. Ukraine feels deeply betrayed. For a country that has chosen to stand up for democracy, its reward is a brutal assault on its cities and people. This isn't a war on a battlefield. It's a war on civilian lives. Russian forces recently targeted Zaporizhya, a civilian hub, with guided bombs weighing over a ton each. The situation in Kyiv and across Ukraine underscores a devastating reality—Russia's attacks on civilians are escalating.

The world stands at a precipice. The approach of another harsh winter, with its looming threat of blackouts, coincides with a West that seems fatigued and disconnected from Ukraine's plight. Conversations in London and other European capitals suggest that some policymakers are toying with the notion of pressuring President Zelensky to accept a ceasefire or peace deal. The message is clear: make a deal, or risk losing Western support. This is not only misguided but dangerous. It underestimates the consequences of Russia’s imperial ambitions and overestimates the West’s moral standing.

Ukraine’s Struggle is Europe’s Security

This war will not simply disappear. Russia’s goal is far greater than the subjugation of Ukraine—it seeks to destabilize Europe. Allowing Ukraine to fall would embolden Moscow and imperil European security. In the absence of meaningful military and financial support for Ukraine, the narrative of Western values becomes a fiction. The West must wake up to the fact that containing Russia is an existential need, not an option that can be dictated by fears of nuclear escalation.

What we need is bold, unequivocal support for Ukraine—not just politically, but through sustained military aid and financial assistance. Any talk of forcing Ukraine into a 'deal' without addressing Russia’s larger ambitions misses the point. Ukraine has made it clear that it wants to join the Western democratic order, but that order must prove itself worthy by standing behind Ukraine in its darkest hour.

Defending Western Democratic Ideals

The current dialogue, as highlighted by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), suggests that Europe should argue for Ukraine’s NATO membership as part of a settlement. While this is a step in the right direction, it is not nearly enough. NATO membership for Ukraine is vital, but the West must also recognize the larger threat Russia poses to the security and stability of Europe and beyond.

Western democracies cannot afford to falter. Failing Ukraine is more than just a geopolitical error—it is an abandonment of the core values that define the EU, NATO, and the broader democratic world. If we do not act decisively, we will not only witness the fall of Ukraine but the erosion of the very principles we claim to defend.

In supporting Ukraine, we are not just defending a country—we are defending the idea that freedom is worth fighting for. The West must make a choice: uphold these values through action, or admit that they were mere illusions all along.