In the early morning hours of February 24, 2022, Russia—or the Russian Federation—under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To date, though Russia has realized only limited territorial gains, the toll on human life has been extensive, with nearly 500,000 casualties and massive destruction of resources, infrastructures, and food supplies.

Tensions between the two nations have existed for millennia. Since breaking away from the USSR in 1991, Ukraine has sought to align itself with more Western nations. In recent years, it has pursued an interest in joining NATO. Russian leaders consider this a threat to their national security and have maintained a close interest in their neighbor to the west.

Although Russia invaded Donbas and annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in 2014, Western leaders downplayed the threat of violent conflict between the two nations. This dangerous illusion allowed Russia to continue to pursue its expansionist ambitions and left Ukraine a vulnerable target lacking international support.

The United States should support Ukraine, as this is ultimately a war for democracy and freedom against autocracy and suppression.

Inside Why the USA Needs to Support Ukraine: Understanding the Imperative in the Face of Conflict, you will discover:

• Detailed aspects—including the causes, effects, and potential outcomes—of the Russian–Ukrainian war
• Why the European Union conducted business as usual and assumed Putin would adhere to the rule of law
• How the Beijing Pact of 2022—which formed an alliance between Russia and China—mirrors that of the 1939 pact between Nazi Germany and the then-Communist Soviet Union
• How aid and support from the United States would not only assist the Ukrainian people but also prevent global military involvement, end the loss of life and property, and improve international socio-economic and political relations