Ukrainian President Vladamir Zalinksi has recently signed military aid agreements with Germany and France promising continued military support and training as well as sanctions against Russia. These two agreements are a result of Ukrainian president Vladamir Zelinsky’s visit to allied European nations urging for continued military support against Russia. When President Zelinsky was in Munich he gave a public address making the case that funding Ukraine is not just about the future of it’s nation but the future of Europe. If Russia wins, argues Zelensky, then Russia will only set its sights on other European nations. Zelinsky made the case that Ukraine is capable of pushing Russia back but it needs the support to do so saying “Do not ask Ukraine when the war will end. Ask yourself, why is Putin still able to continue it?” While Europe is pledging more support and E.U countries are increasing military coordination in anticipation of what a Russian attack could look like, the United States House of Representatives is struggling to pass a foreign aid package due to controversy over new immigration and border policy. House Republicans are either refusing to vote or are asking for time to negotiate amendments to the bill. This bill includes 60 billion dollars in aid for Ukraine as well as provisions for other U.S allies.     

The response of Europe to support Ukraine and prepare for the possibility of a Russian attack on a NATO member shows the growing concern about Russia’s intentions and an eagerness to halt Putin’s aggression before it ignites a larger conflict. Ukrainian President Zelinsky is correct in his reasoning and approach in garnering support for his country by reminding western allies that passivity can be easily exploited by authoritarian leaders. The response of European Nations shows that they are taking the threat of Russia seriously and implementing measures to do so. A United Europe that can defend itself sends a strong signal to Vladamir Poutin that his aims will not be easy to realize. The leadership of the United States, however, is not showcasing a united effort and is instead letting partisan polarization interfere with policy making that has an influence on global security. The principal part of this bill under scrutiny are the new immigration measures which some republicans want changed. United States immigration policy isn’t related to the subject of the Ukrainian war, but the polarization driving this congressional disagreement impacts global security. If the United States is seen to be ineffective due to internal political polarization, hostile regimes such as Russia will only view this as a weakness to be exploited and evidence that the United States will not back up its words with action. This internal political conflict also signals other authoritarian regimes that look to find weaknesses in western democracies. One of the biggest concerns facing the United States is the Chinese regime who has been escalating military activity and tensions in the region of the world it occupies. If the U.S fails to appear united in common cause against the actions of Russia and in supporting its other allies then this will only give them more confidence to pursue their agenda. 

The key issue at hand is the changing dynamics of power in the world. The United States no longer possess the hegemony it once did and the emergence of the Chinese and Russian regimes is posing a threat to western powers. These regimes have leaders who do not want to abide by the same rules and protocols that have been implanted by democratic institutions. Western leaders need to unite under the values which underpin their systems of government and follow through with it in real life decisions. With the political polarization in the United States and the mass farmers protests in Europe, there is a mounting tension between ordinary citizens and the governments that represent them. Democratic leaders need to live up to the ethos of their countries and make sure that the social and economic matters that concern most people are met. If leaders don’t do this then the kind of Polarization that is currently impeding the United States House of representatives from passing aid packages to its allies will only continue. A reduction in internal tensions will not only make democracies more effective at making decisions to counter these regimes, but will prove that democratic societies are capable of achieving their goals, further deterring regimes like Russia from using force. Part of capability is the presence of internal stability within a society but also its military capacity to neutralize threats. Because of the war in Ukraine and Chinese escalation, authorities in our national defense sector have realized that the United States lacks an industrial capacity that can mass produce weapons in a time of war. In a wall street journal article titled The U.S Can Afford A Bigger Military, It Just Can’t Pay For It, expert testimony from organizations such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Navy, CSIS, and Congressional Research Service all point to the inability to mass produce weapons that are cost effective due a lack of industrial infrastructure, design, standardization, and skilled labor. These impediments have made themselves known in Ukraine, with the U.S Naval institute reporting that the U.S cannot mass produce the 155 mm shells that are sent to Ukraine. The United States needs to fill these gaps and Europe needs to lessen its dependence on the United States to fill its own gaps. If peace is to be achieved in this conflict then Russia cannot be allowed to win, and Europe must have the material means to repulse a Russian attack or else Putin’s confidence will only be bolstered. Whether or not these actions will lead to peace is uncertain. What we think of as rational and effective might not influence an authoritarian leader in the ways in which one would hope. Therefore, the responsibility of democratic allies is to be prepared militarily as well as finding solutions that deescalate conflict.