With Donald Trump back in office as president, the future of Ukraine's war with Russia is at a crossroads. Over the past two years, U.S. aid has played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion. However, Trump's return brings uncertainty, as his stance on the war differs significantly from that of the Biden administration.
One major concern is whether the U.S. will keep sending military and financial aid to Ukraine. Trump has often said that the U.S. is giving too much support and that European countries should do more. So far, the U.S. has given $69 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s planned and aggressive full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.
But President Trump's administration has stated that while the U.S. won’t completely cut off aid, it might be reduced or changed. This has worried Ukrainian officials, who fear that without America's steady help, it will be much harder to hold off Russian attacks.
Trump has also hinted at pushing for a peace deal, potentially involving direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This approach raises concerns among Ukraine and its European allies, as it might force Ukraine into compromises that favor Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that no agreements should be made without Ukraine's direct involvement. However, early reports suggest that U.S. and Russian officials have already begun informal talks to which Ukraine has not been invited.
Adding to the controversy, there have been reports that the Trump administration proposed that Ukraine grant the U.S. access to a significant portion of its natural resources in exchange for continued military support. Zelenskyy has rejected such proposals, arguing that Ukraine should not have to "pay" for aid that helps defend its sovereignty.
As the situation develops, Ukraine faces difficult choices. If U.S. aid is cut, it will have to rely more on Europe, which may not be able to provide the same level of military support. Meanwhile, Russia could see this as an opportunity to push forward with its invasion. The next few months will be critical in determining Ukraine's future and whether it can maintain its independence or be forced into a settlement under pressure from global powers.
At the same time, it seems unfair if other European countries don't step up their contributions. The U.S. can't be expected to provide this level of aid indefinitely, especially when so many Americans are struggling. Millions of people in the U.S. live below the poverty line, and it's important to prioritize taking care of them, too. That doesn't mean abandoning Ukraine, but there has to be a more balanced approach where other nations take on their fair share of the responsibility.
I was also very surprised by the amount of aid the U.S. has given compared to other nations. The numbers make it clear that America is carrying most of the burden, while some European countries, which are much closer to the conflict, haven't contributed nearly as much. In this regard, I think Trump is right—other nations need to step up. The U.S. has done a lot, but it shouldn't be expected to fund Ukraine's defense almost single-handedly. If this war is truly a global concern, then the responsibility should be shared more fairly.
Sources:
Associated Press News. "Russia and US Agree to Work Toward Ending Ukraine War in a Remarkable Diplomatic Shift." Associated Press News, 18 Feb. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/0c3beebfef5839e9d509ff58239a6bc5.
Erlanger, Steven. "Hegseth Says Return to Ukraine's Prewar Borders Is 'Unrealistic'." The New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/world/europe/ukraine-borders-hegseth.html.
Miller, Zeke. "Zelenskyy Tells Aides to Reject U.S. Pitch for 50% of Ukraine's Rare Earth Minerals." NBC News, 17 Feb. 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/zelenskyy-rejects-us-pitch-ukraine-rare-earth-minerals-rcna70565.
Richter, Felix. "The U.S. Plays a Key Role in Military Aid to Ukraine." Statista, March 7, 2025, https://www.statista.com/chart/34066/military-aid-to-ukraine/.
Roth, Andrew, Dan Sabbagh, and Pjotr Sauer. "Trump-Zelenskyy Clash Marks a Defining Turn Away from U.S. Defense of Democracies." The Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/01/trump-zelenskyy-clash-us-defense-democracies/.
Hi Emma! I thought your post provided a great overview of the position Ukraine finds itself in with the return of Trump as president. It highlights the potential shift in U.S. foreign policy and its implications for Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. The concern about whether European countries will increase their contributions if U.S. aid diminishes is also significant. It raises important questions about global responsibility and reliability on nations in international conflicts.
Hi Emma! I thought your post provided a great overview of the position Ukraine finds itself in with the return of Trump as president. It highlights the potential shift in U.S. foreign policy and its implications for Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. The concern about whether European countries will increase their contributions if U.S. aid diminishes is also significant. It raises important questions about global responsibility and reliability on nations in international conflicts.
Emma-- I thought this blog post was very informative, and your points about foreign aid are correct. It is important that we don't overlook the fact that we send billions of dollars worth of aid to other countries when millions of Americans are still below the poverty line. And it is equally concerning that given the proximity of other countries to Ukraine, that it is the US that ends up handing out the most aid. Great post!
Hi Emma! I really enjoyed reading your article, especially since this is such a timely topic. I agree that given the proximity of other countries, it is hard to understand why other nearby countries are not offering up more aid. However, I also see how Ukraine is sort of contributing to the U.S. already by fighting off Russia (as it's in no ones interest for Russia to actually take control of another country). This is definitely something I will think about more!