Let's talk about how the previous administration, headed by Biden, handled the US's support for Ukraine. It's no secret that the pace of military aid was incredibly slow.  Imagine you promised someone something. They need it urgently, but you just don't get it to them promptly. That's what happened here.  By mid-2024, less than half of the aid promised to Ukraine had been delivered. Now, the new Trump administration has a chance to change that.

On the ground in Ukraine, this slow rollout meant that Ukrainian forces were being left high and dry. Think about it.  They were fighting for their country, but they didn't have the necessary equipment. That's a real shame. This situation must have made it feel like the United States wasn't there to support them.

The Ukrainian President had a different perspective. Zelenskyy claimed only 10% of the promised aid was received.  Be that as it may, the US bureaucracy, incompetence, or deliberate delay left Ukraine's military capabilities languishing in storage. This was not helpful. It's clear that the previous administration prioritized managing escalation over providing robust support to Ukraine.   It wasn't helpful for Ukraine, it wasn't helpful for the US, it was just a bad choice.  This delay had serious consequences. For instance, Ukraine faced a serious shortage of armored vehicles, and by the end of 2024, the US had only delivered 30% of the promised vehicles.  It was a real bummer.

But here's a silver lining. The new Trump administration has the chance to turn things around.  If they can speed up the delivery of military aid, it could put pressure on Russia and potentially end the war quicker.  This move would not require a new funding bill. Just use the existing authorization to send over the military support.

Trump could also boost US national interests by tapping into Ukraine’s strategic resources.  It's a win-win situation.  But let's be real, getting Russia to the negotiating table and putting an end to the war isn't going to be easy.  Even if Ukraine has the resources, Putin might not be willing to cooperate.

For the West to win, it needs to show Putin that their resources will outlast his.  That the risks of holding on won't outweigh the possible rewards.  The West needs to be a step ahead.  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was right when he said, “We know who the aggressor is. We know who the good guy is. ”  Most Americans would agree.  The best way to help Ukraine is to support them wholeheartedly.  It's time to end the restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American weapons systems and provide the aid they need to end the war quickly and effectively.

Ukraine Aid: Trump's Opportunity to Make a Difference

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