Why should the USA support Ukraine?

Why did President Biden support Ukraine? What value is it to the USA? The USA has regarded Russia as an adversary and Russia invaded. So the USA and other countries decided to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian attack.

The USA is now hoping to get its hands on some of Ukraine’s minerals as recompense for its support. Other countries have loaned money to Ukraine to enable it to purchase their weapons. European countries want to stop Russian aggression. They fear that if Russia defeats the Ukrainians, Russia will invade their countries. They want a weakened Russia so it isn’t as big a threat in the future.

Nuclear weapons in Ukraine

Russia has repeatedly threatened the use of nuclear weapons. Yet so far it is all bluster. Russia has lots of nuclear weapons, more than the USA. However the USA has plenty to totally destroy Russia many times over. If Russia detonates a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, the fallout may spread beyond the borders of Ukraine into NATO countries. This may trigger Article 5 causing war between NATO and Russia. If NATO countries are affected by nuclear fallout from a Russian weapon, this may cause the use of such against Russia. So Russia knows that it will be risky for them to use such a weapon.

The Russian attitude

Russia wants to incorporate Ukraine into its federation. Putin desires to expand the borders of Russia to the former borders of the Soviet Union. As Hitler did when Germany invaded Poland in the last century, Putin used a flimsy pretext to justify the invasion. Russia has killed thousands if not millions of citizens. Reminiscent of Germany bombing London. Russia has lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in Ukraine as well as lots of equipment. In any peace deal, Russia will be seeking something to show for all of its efforts: territory.

The Ukrainian attitude

Ukraine wants Russia out of its country including out of Crimea. It also wants Russia to be unable to invade in the future. To achieve this it will have to either push Russia out; then be strong enough to stop Russia in the future. Or it needs strong backing from other countries, so that Russia will decide not to invade. One thing other countries could do for Ukraine is give them powerful weapons sufficient for them to push Russia out. Or nuclear armed countries could give the Ukrainians a nuclear weapon, so that Russia knows what might happen if it doesn’t leave. And if it invades again.

Ukraine has received support from the USA and Europe and Australia and elsewhere. Recently the USA suspended its support. It can’t prevail against Russia without support.

The American attitude

The USA has supplied Ukraine with weapons. The current president wants peace between Russia and the Ukrainians. During a recent meeting between the 2 countries, the USA realised that the Ukranians want to keep fighting until Russia leaves. That means the war will continue for as long as they can continue to fight. The Ukrainians are being enabled to continue fighting by American support, so America has now paused its support. It hopes that this will cause them to think about ending the war before Russia is pushed out. Because Ukraine cannot fight against Russia for long if it doesn’t have American support. So Ukraine must agree to settle while it still exists or face the prospect of a Russian victory.

The USA has also been talking to Russia about stopping the war. Russia wants sanctions removed, but this will enable it to increase its efforts against Ukraine. Russia may not be serious about stopping.

The current situation

After the USA suspended its military support of Ukraine, Ukraine is now seeking to cooperate with the USA. Russia continues to use North Korean soldiers. So now the USA will need to persuade Russia to cease fighting. It could do this by making a military alliance with Ukraine. Or by giving Ukraine weapons that will severely damage Russia. It could warn Russia that if it continues there will be severe consequences. He is in control of the situation.