History
The first instance of Ukraine as an independent state came in 1917-1921 during the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR) and other short-lived Ukrainian states after the Russian Revolution.
Ukraine declared independence in 1918, but it faced significant challenges from both Soviet Russia and Poland, and after several conflicts, it was absorbed into the Soviet Union.
Ukraine regained independence in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, marking the establishment of the modern Ukrainian state.
United States (U.S.) and European Union (EU) support
The support it has received from the U.S. and the EU has been pivotal.
What if Ukraine had received no support from the U.S., and only the EU had been involved?
The consequences would have been severe in several areas:
1. Military Struggles:
Increased Vulnerability: Without U.S. support, Ukraine would have been unable to counter Russia’s military might as effectively. U.S. advanced weaponry, training, and intelligence-sharing have been crucial in leveling the playing field.Prolonged Conflict: Ukraine might have struggled to maintain its defense, prolonging the war and possibly leading to territorial losses.
2. Economic Hardship:
Deeper Crisis: Without U.S. financial aid and loans, Ukraine's economy, already strained, would have faced even steeper challenges. EU assistance alone would not have been enough to mitigate the war's impact.Weakened Recovery: The absence of Western recovery funds would have delayed reconstruction, worsening the economic crisis and leaving Ukraine vulnerable to collapse.
3. Diplomatic Isolation:
Limited Global Support: Without U.S. backing, Ukraine would have found it harder to rally international support. Russia might have faced fewer sanctions, reducing the pressure on its economy and military.Internal Divisions: The lack of support could have led to greater internal political divisions, weakening Ukraine’s unity and resolve.
4. Weakened Morale:
Public Confidence: Western backing has bolstered morale, but without it, Ukraine could have faced a loss of hope, increasing calls for negotiations or surrender.Loss of Unity: Internal factions might have seen the lack of Western support as abandonment, fracturing the nation’s resolve.
5. Possible Russian Domination:
Russian Victory: Without external support, Ukraine might have succumbed to Russia’s territorial ambitions, potentially becoming a satellite state or losing its sovereignty entirely.Historical Precedent: Like many former Soviet states, Ukraine could have been absorbed into Russia or manipulated into a pro-Russian government.
The Impact on the EU:
1. Economic Strain:
Greater Burden: The EU would have shouldered a larger share of Ukraine's military and economic recovery, stretching its resources, especially given the war's impact on Europe’s energy supplies and inflation.
2. Internal EU Unity:
Potential Divisions: Without U.S. leadership, EU member states with differing views on defense and foreign policy might have struggled to reach consensus on military and economic support for Ukraine.
3. Security and Global Influence:
Weakened Defense Capabilities: Without the U.S., the EU would have had to dramatically increase defense spending, creating a less unified defense posture. The EU’s global influence would have been diminished without U.S. support in shaping international diplomacy and countering Russia.
Conclusion:
Without support from both the U.S. and EU, Ukraine would likely have been in a far more precarious situation.
The lack of military, financial, and diplomatic backing would have left the nation more vulnerable to Russian dominance.
The EU itself would have faced greater economic and political strain, potentially fragmenting its unity and reducing its ability to act decisively on the global stage.
In this hypothetical scenario, Ukraine could have ceased to exist as an independent state, either fully absorbed into Russia.
The importance of international support from the U.S. and EU cannot be overstated in securing Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
So YES,
#Zelenskyy should be humble, not arrogant and thank U. S. for support
#TRUMP #ukraine $TRUMP