The war in Ukraine and Russia has been happening for almost 10 years but has been escalating more than ever in recent years. Given that the U.S. is allied with Ukraine through NATO, resources and money have been given to Ukraine throughout the whole war.
In total, the U.S. has sent the Ukraine government around $107 billion, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. “We have provided the most money from any of Ukraine’s allies,” says Totino-Grace history and economics teacher Mrs. Carlson.
Russia unfortunately outnumbers Ukraine in every possible way. Zelensky is under an extreme amount of stress. “It is hard to think rationally when you’re in the situation that he is,” says Totino-Grace history teacher Mr. Trovato.
“Giving money to Ukraine just prolongs the inevitable,” says Trovato. Russia has been making small gains on Ukrainian territory. “The money we have given them has not been used wisely,” says Carlson.
CBS News also stated another key point in the war: The war has been accelerating on both sides.
However, Zelensky has made it clear that his country can afford little time to wait. Both sides are escalating threats and danger, and as of now, Ukraine is under a Travel Advisory level of 4, meaning do not travel, as security remains unpredictable, according to the U.S. Department of State.
This shows people around the world that the people in Ukraine are in extreme danger. Congress has passed five bills appropriating $175 billion for Ukraine. A large sum of this money has been used in military aid as well since Russia first invaded Ukraine.
Considering just how much Ukraine has been helped by NATO, it surprises many that Zelensky would ask for even more. As of now, the U.S. inflation rate is 2.5%, and the reason this has to do with Ukraine is that Russia and Ukraine are both major producers of food and energy for not only the U.S. but many other countries.
Russia and Ukraine provide most of the U.S.’s natural gas supply. With growing demand and depleting supply, everything becomes more expensive, resulting in economic problems.
The importance of this is that Zelensky is asking the U.S. for more money that they can’t afford. Considering just how much money Ukraine has received, any more would likely not have an impact on the war in the long run besides potentially slowing Russia’s charge.
The money and reinforcements sent to Ukraine have not changed how it is currently playing out, besides slowing down Russia’s gains. So how will the war change if the U.S. provides more?
Likely, Ukraine will not withstand even with more reinforcements and money. To win the war, the country would need a turn of events in many ways, with the most important being economics. Russia’s motives are to take Ukraine, and they will do anything in their power to do so. So, it is unlikely that the war could change on a dime.
