Biden Visit to Kyiv Underlines Support for Ukraine Policy – CEPA

As for the immediate situation on the ground, Russia, having suffered about 200,000 casualties, is now simply throwing poorly trained and equipped forces at the front line, backed up by pounding artillery fire. It is an extremely costly tactic, with Russia losing lives at a record pace. But it is also taking its toll on Ukrainian forces, who are also suffering major casualties, with fewer Ukrainians on deck to replace them. Russia has deeper reserves. This situation must not continue for months on end.

Russia continues to hit Ukrainian civilian infrastructure with drones, missiles, and bombs. Even though most are shot down, enough get through to keep degrading Ukraine s infrastructure and deter foreign investment. New Western weapons, such as longer-range artillery and tanks, are arriving slowly, and still, other systems (such as ATACMS and multi-role aircraft) are denied. Thus far, nothing is arriving in Ukraine that is changing the pattern of Russia s attacks on civilian infrastructure, or the trajectory of the current conflict.

Western military aid seems to lack a sense of urgency as though having gotten Ukraine this far, we can now continue as is. Yet continuing as is means unacceptable human and economic costs to Ukraine. This must change in the wake of President Biden s visit. It is time to commit to Ukraine s victory, and provide all the means necessary.

The lack of a sense of urgency is reinforced by two other factors: learning the wrong lessons from the past year and failing to answer tough questions about the future.

via cepa.org