Is it any surprise that US officials are growing frustrated? They see a continent all too eager to free-ride on their dime
Another lucky escape. The US didn’t vote for a fresh slate of isolationists in its midterm elections and Ukraine’s war of liberation can go on. But isn’t it pathetic that something so critical to the security of Europe should be decided by whether or not some obscure, teeth-baring rage merchants can hang onto their seats in Congress? And yet that is the way it must be, unless and until Europe takes responsibility for itself.
The US has given more military, humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine than all of Europe put together, including the UK. For now, that will continue. But in spite of Kyiv’s remarkable successes, there are signs of fatigue in Washington. It’s not just the vocal strand of isolationist Republicans who pledged to end the “blank cheque” and ensure that “not another penny” goes to Kyiv. It’s not just the wobbly “progressive” Democrats, 30 of whom recently signed a letter calling for negotiations, only to withdraw it when their colleagues became angry. It’s also, according to US papers, an emerging split with the Biden administration.
The clearest signs so far are comments made by the US general, Mark Milley, who suggested this week that Kyiv ought to “seize the moment” over the winter months to seek out “diplomatic solutions”. The New York Times reports that Gen Milley wants Ukraine to consolidate its recent gains through peace talks, claiming that there is otherwise no end in sight to the war, with Russian troops digging themselves into trenches on the left bank of the Dnieper river. This would require President Zelensky to end his prohibition on sitting down to talks with President Putin.
Thankfully, despite the occasional addled message sent by President Biden, the White House disagrees. Those suing for a quick peace in Ukraine always present themselves as the grown-up, strategic thinkers who will deliver us from nuclear war. Yet they are never able to explain how their strategy would actually achieve peace or ultimately avoid years of instability, further cost and the constant risk of escalation by an emboldened Moscow.