As the war between Ukraine and Russia rages on, the United States is at a crossroads on whether or not to intervene militarily. Though the United States has an extensive history of partaking in international conflicts, they have shown reservations in the amount of support they have supplied to Ukraine. Though it may seem that the militaristic assistance from the United States is essential to the protection of Ukraine and to bring an end to the Russian invasion, the underlying repercussions could lead to the destruction of international relationships and political policies.
Just weeks after President of Russia Vladimir Putin promised that Russia’s “special military operations” would not endanger the civilians of Ukraine nor threaten the control over the territory, the Russian military has levied significant damages on the country. Since the initial invasion on February 24, multiple countries have demonstrated their support for Ukraine by imposing heavy economic sanctions on Russia. In addition, more than twenty-five nations have provided support to the militaristic efforts in Ukraine through donations of ammunition, weaponry, and tactical gear.
However, none of these nations have provided direct militaristic support through the use of troops in Ukraine, largely due to the fear of damages because of these countries’ concerns about Russia’s response. The creation of nuclear weapons during the Second World War led to a drastic change in global politics, as countries do not want to be the leading cause of an uncontrollable international nuclear war. To make matters worse, Putin referenced its nuclear arsenal by stating that any country that interferes with its invasion will face “consequences you have never seen.” The weaponization of the fear of mutually assured destruction mirrors the conflict seen during the Cold War, and the United States ought to be determined to prevent nuclear warfare at all costs.
Despite the possibility of a nuclear war, many individuals support the idea that the United States should provide extensive support to their Ukrainian allies through weaponry and military personnel. First, supporters of militaristic intervention look back on the United States’ history of interfering in international conflicts to spread their influence across the world. Through historical events such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the War in Afghanistan, the United States has provided significant support to their international allies financially, politically, and militarily. The United States’ push for global freedom, safety, and democracy has led it to intervene in multiple global conflicts, which has caused supporters to question the support that the U.S. has withheld from Ukraine.
In addition, supporters of militaristic intervention fear that the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine may set a frightening precedent that would allow countries with a nuclear arsenal to invade other countries. International conflicts previously suppressed from the fear of intervention from the United States may occur as a result of its inaction in Ukraine. Such conflicts may include a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, an Indian invasion of Pakistan, or an Israeli invasion of Iran. It is due to these reasons that many individuals have expressed their desire for the United States to increase their support for Ukraine through a supply of American soldiers.
Unfortunately, despite the implications that the United States’ limited action may have on global political stability, it is imperative to consider the severe consequences that may result from the United States’ participation in the war in Ukraine. First, frequent international interventions made by the United States have led to serious complications in global politics. Unfortunately, most of the foreign interventions made by the United States since World War II were unable to achieve their objectives as they were disturbed by limitations such as political outrage or financial insufficiency. Militaristic interventions of the past have also been shown to cause significant repercussions on the United States’ economy and international relationships. The United States’ intervention in the Russian invasion of Ukraine will endanger the current stability of U.S.-Russian relationships and may escalate the current conflict into a full-fledged war between the two global superpowers.
Second, the United States must consider the financial implications that increased support for the Ukrainian invasion may have on the U.S. economy. The United States has already faced severe consequences in their limited support of the Ukrainian military through increased prices in commodities and resources such as gas due to Russian boycotts against the United States. Increased support for the Ukrainian invasion will lead to increased spending of taxpayer money on the United States’ military funding and increased severity of Russian boycotts. The United States should avoid setting a precedent of allowing countries to conduct invasions by interfering only when North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies are under attack. Such change in the intervention policy of the United States will allow for the maintenance of global security while considering the United States’ international political relationships. This balance in foreign intervention will allow us to protect the American people and maintain global political stability.
