As of today, February 24, 2026, the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its fifth year. Whatever the actual casualties their numbers have been horrific on both sides with tremendous harm to civilians and infrastructure.
As of this writing neither side has achieved its stated objectives in the war as gauged by President Putin’s and President Zelensky’s public statements and show little likelihood of doing so. In particular I see little material way of Ukraine accomplishing its goals.
All of that notwithstanding I believe that the United States should continue to provide military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Russia should not have invaded Ukraine—it is a violation of treaties to which Russia is a signatory. I also support continuing and tightening economic sanctions against Russia. Our policies with respect to Eastern Europe have often been misguided, even perverse but that is a digression. The matter at hand is the ongoing war. The objective is not total Ukrainian victory but the preservation of Ukrainian sovereignty under conditions that do not risk global catastrophe.
War is not a zero-sum game. Everyone loses. The “winner” just loses less than the “loser”. We will continue to lose as long as this war continues.
