Introduction
During the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, the United States, along with NATO members and other partner countries, has been investing in sending aid to Ukraine. This assistance took the form of military equipment, which was crucial in defending the country against the Russian “special military operation.” Thus, the US military aid packages were instrumental during all phases of the Russo-Ukrainian war, and still are a major influence in the conflict.
US Aid to Ukraine
While American aid to Ukraine is apparent, it is necessary to understand why the United States is conducting it. It was crucial for both the US and Russia to attempt to influence Ukraine, much as Russia did with Belarus, to increase influence in Eastern Europe (Szoke and Kusica 5). Ukraine was firmly allied with the European Union in the twenty-first century, but after Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Russian, was elected president, he chose not to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, sparking protests and instigating a revolution in 2014 (Szoke and Kusica 5). Russia invaded and annexed Crimea as a result of Yanukovych’s political failure, starting the Donbas revolution (Szoke and Kusica 9).
After some initial disagreements, NATO and the EU ultimately decided to back Ukraine because it had been attacked and because it was equally vital to them as it was to Russia (Szoke and Kusica 10). Hence, the US viewed Ukraine as a possibility for increasing its influence in Eastern Europe, and thus invested in providing military aid. However, the West was cautious about sending Ukraine lethal weapons during the first days of the war. Because only non-lethal and largely defensive-natured weapons were delivered, military support from Western nations to Ukraine started cautiously during the first phase of the Russo-Ukrainian war (Szoke and Kusica 9).
In 2014, the United States was the first country to give non-lethal military assistance, such as soldiers and support equipment, to Ukraine (Szoke and Kusica 9). In 2018, the US once more gave Ukraine lethal weapons, including Javelin launchers and missiles. Nevertheless, up to 2022, Ukraine primarily got security aid through packages to improve its defenses. Thus, during the first phase of the conflict, the US was only involved in sending defensive weaponry.
The Donbas was the scene of static trench warfare during the second stage of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, which was characterized by constant artillery barrages and battles. Consequently, anti-tank, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft missiles were part of the military support sent to Ukraine (Szoke and Kusica 10). Armed with powerful weapons, Ukrainian forces could engage enemy artillery while hitting military vehicles and infantry (Szoke and Kusica 11).
Consequently, even though they couldn’t win the battle for Ukraine by themselves, these systems were regarded as something that could change the course of the conflict (Szoke and Kusica 13). As a result, Western equipment and weapons were instrumental during the second phase of the war. Due to the constant supply of military aid and training by Western militaries, the third phase was characterized by Ukrainian counter-offensives. The Ukrainian military took advantage of the Russian forces’ tiredness and the undermanned frontlines, utilizing military support through training in Western camps (Szoke and Kusica 13).
Additionally, Ukraine has received larger amounts of heavy weaponry and ammunition. However, to prevent the conflict escalation, the US and its allies did not send Ukraine tanks and fighter jets (Szoke and Kusica 15). Hence, the US assistance for Ukraine in the third phase of the war consisted of training, heavy weaponry, and ammunition.
Conclusion
Thus, the United States has been the top contributor in aiding Ukraine in terms of military assistance. The US has sent defensive weapons in the first phase of the conflict, anti-vehicle weapons in the second phase, and military training and heavy weapons in the third phase. Thus, military support greatly affected the Russo-Ukrainian war, allowing Ukraine to continue fighting and even conduct counter-offensives, which they would not have accomplished without it.
Work Cited
Szőke, Júlia, and Kolos Kusica. Military Assistance to Ukraine and Its Significance in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Social Sciences, 12(5), pp. 1–17, 2023. Web.