As US lawmakers return from their Easter break, they need to take Volodymyr Zelensky’s warning Sunday seriously: Without US military aid, Ukraine “will lose the war.”
And if that happens, “other countries will be attacked.”
Yes, it’s that simple.
Ukraine’s military has been short of ammo and struggling to hold back Russia for weeks.
Moscow is reportedly probing for weaknesses and planning new offensives to capture more Ukrainian territory.
If US help fails to arrive, it’s just a matter of time before Zelensky & Co. are annihilated or forced to surrender.
And anyone who thinks that outcome won’t endanger the entire world, including America, is kidding himself.
A Russian victory will leave the world more unstable than it’s been since the Cold War.
Central Europe, Scandinavia, the Baltic states and other countries would be at grave risk from an emboldened Vladimir Putin.
NATO nations would face an enormous threat, and as a member of the alliance, America would be obliged to defend them.
China, too, would read America’s fecklessness as a green light to move on Taiwan; Iran would feel free to wage more terror throughout the Middle East, and beyond.
Most lawmakers know this and back Ukraine aid, but absurd politics are getting in the way.
On the right, a growing number of Republicans have forgotten the principle of peace through strength, grumble about costs and are willing to abandon an ally.
On the left, President Biden and Democrats believe progressive goals — keeping the US-Mexico border wide open, banning liquefied-natural-gas exports to fight climate change — are more important than aiding Ukraine, and so have resisted compromise.
Biden himself hasn’t lifted a finger to drum up bipartisan support. Is he secretly hoping Ukraine falls so can blame Republicans?
The adults need to take charge. America simply can’t let Ukraine succumb.
Lawmakers need to pass legislation — whether the Senate bill, including aid for Israel and Taiwan, or a House package, perhaps with funds to be repaid by Kyiv when it can.
The stakes are just too high. And the world can’t wait any longer.