Ukraine Aid Inaction Now Will Cost Us More Later

As an individual deeply connected to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, I’ve found it increasingly challenging to witness the collective amnesia that seems to have settled over America regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine. The initial shock of the 2022 invasion has faded, replaced by the ebb and flow of other news stories.

I understand why this is happening. Our attention is a finite resource. We literally can’t process every crisis in our lives and around the world. However, what is happening in Ukraine is not just another crisis – it’s a threat to the very essence of the free world.

I can’t forget about Ukraine, and I won’t forget Ukraine.

With help for Ukraine dwindling, I have returned to a familiar routine. Similar to two years ago when Russia launched the full-scale invasion, every evening, I say a prayer for my friends and family in Ukraine. Each morning, as I check messages and review the latest news from Ukraine, I’m confronted with the harsh reality of war. I can’t help but wonder about the lives lost, the brave volunteers, and the dedicated soldiers defending not only Ukraine but the principles that underpin the free world. I also think about my kids.

I don’t want my children fighting a bloody war against the current iteration of the Axis forces. If there is something that I can do right now to speak out against evil and to combat injustice, I will do everything that I can to uphold the values that have become precious to me as a Ukrainian-American.

If we turn a blind eye to the suffering in Ukraine, and if Ukraine is not properly resourced to stop Russian aggression, this war will inevitably expand. It will reach the Baltic States, sweep across Europe, and extend its tentacles beyond. Sooner or later, there will come a time when we can no longer ignore the consequences of our inaction, and we’ll be forced to pay the price, perhaps with the blood of our loved ones.

Don’t be naive. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are not a barrier that is large enough to insulate us from unrestrained evil. Geographical distance from the war against Ukraine is insufficient to shield us from the ripple effects of injustice.

Someone once said that suffering is inevitable; we either suffer intentionally because of the discipline we choose, or we suffer the pain of regret. I think about this in the context of what’s happening in Ukraine. We can make difficult and disciplined decisions now – to give Ukraine everything it needs to win this war – or we can pay the price later.

Personally, I don’t have access to government funding or weapons, but I have a voice and a network of friends. My desire is to grow that network and amplify the voices of those who are suffering. My work in Ukraine continues to expose me to the ongoing terrors of war, but I’ve also been able to witness the courage and sacrifice of ordinary human beings.

Brave Ukrainians are showing us every day that we don’t have to capitulate to terrorists. We are stronger together. We can stand up for the values that define the free world, and we can push back against the darkness. Ukrainians are fighting for their sovereignty, but they’re also fighting for our common values – and they need our ongoing help.

While organized governments have their roles to play, my experience lies in the private and nonprofit sectors. I've witnessed civilians, businesses, and nonprofit organizations achieve remarkable feats against all odds in Ukraine. Last winter in Ukraine, I saw multiple U.S. and U.K.-based organizations partner with local Ukrainian organizations to serve internally displaced people. Thousands of people received food packets and Christmas presents for their children. The rolling electricity blackouts could not extinguish the joy that we all shared.

My connection to Ukraine is not just rooted in my birthplace; it’s an acknowledgment of the transformative power of serving others. The more time and energy I invest in aiding those in Ukraine, the more passionate I become about justice in my local community and the more attuned I am to the global pain that surrounds us. Every time that I have visited Ukraine over the last two years, I have learned more about resilience and courage from Ukrainian volunteers like Matias, Tatyana, Davyd, and Sergii. They have drastically altered their (and their families’) lives to serve those in need and to provide critical resources to the frontlines of the war.

If the United States abandons Ukraine now, there will be a severe cost in the future. Putin’s Russia, a terrorist state, will grow stronger, and other global bullies will be emboldened. If Ukraine doesn’t have the necessary resources to halt Russia’s aggression, our children and grandchildren may one day find themselves sacrificing their lives for the cause of freedom.

History will judge us harshly if we forsake our integrity and fail to take decisive action. This realization has fueled my efforts with The Renewal Initiative, which calls for individuals and communities worldwide to unite against injustice and to shape a future grounded in dignity and hope. Our senators have voted to support Ukraine. Now it’s time for the House of Representatives to do the right thing and to continue providing U.S. aid to Ukraine. Regardless of the decisions that are made about military aid, we – the people – have a role to play.

Don’t allow current political scandals or Russian misinformation campaigns to drown out the voices of those enduring unimaginable devastation. Join the renewal now and help to forge the future we desire for our loved ones today.