{"id":11360,"date":"2024-02-25T23:50:14","date_gmt":"2024-02-25T16:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/?p=11360"},"modified":"2024-02-25T23:50:17","modified_gmt":"2024-02-25T16:50:17","slug":"can-money-buy-victory-a-critical-review-of-western-military-aid-to-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/can-money-buy-victory-a-critical-review-of-western-military-aid-to-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Money Buy Victory? A Critical Review of Western Military Aid to Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <em>jlk<\/em> &#8211; Ukraine, a country situated between two major powers, Europe and Russia, is facing the threat of invasion from its stronger neighbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2022, Russia has occupied parts of eastern Ukraine, known as Donbas, and continues to escalate military pressure on the borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ukraine, lacking sufficient troops, armaments, and ammunition to resist, has sought assistance from its allies in the West, particularly the United States (US) and the European Union (EU).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, is the military aid provided by the West sufficient to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can money buy victory in this unequal war? This article will critically review several key aspects related to Western military aid to Ukraine, namely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The amount and type of military aid provided by the West<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The impact and effectiveness of Western military aid for Ukraine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The challenges and risks faced by the West in providing military aid to Ukraine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amount and Type of Military Aid Provided by the West<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to data collected by the BBC, more than 30 countries have provided military aid to Ukraine, including \u20ac1 billion (IDR 15.6 trillion) from the EU and US$1.7 billion (IDR 26.58 trillion) from the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So far, the supplies have been limited to weapons, ammunition, and defense equipment such as anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These supplies include Javelin, which is a shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon that fires heat-seeking rockets; Stinger, which is a portable anti-aircraft weapon widely used in Afghanistan against Soviet aircraft; and Starstreak, a portable air defense system made in Britain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, the West has also provided non-military assistance such as fuel, food, medicines, medical equipment, and body armor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The West has also provided political and diplomatic support to Ukraine, such as imposing economic sanctions on Russia, condemning Russian aggression, and reaffirming the commitment to uphold Ukraine&#8217;s sovereignty and territorial integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Ukraine desires more. Ukraine also seeks heavier offensive military equipment such as tanks, fighter jets, drones, and advanced missile defense systems to counter the increasing air and long-range missile attacks by Russia targeting Ukraine&#8217;s strategic fuel reserves and other vital logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ukraine also seeks greater and faster military aid from the West, considering that Russia has the advantage in quantity and quality of troops, armaments, and ammunition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Impact and Effectiveness of Western Military Aid for Ukraine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The military aid provided by the West certainly has a positive impact on Ukraine, especially in terms of enhancing defense capabilities and morale of Ukrainian forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some examples of positive impacts reported by the media include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Javelin successfully destroying several Russian tanks in Donbas, demonstrating that Western anti-tank weapons can penetrate thick armor layers and sophisticated active protection systems owned by Russian tanks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stinger and Starstreak successfully shooting down several Russian aircraft and helicopters in Donbas, showing that Western anti-aircraft weapons can counter the high speed and maneuverability of Russian aircraft and helicopters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aid in fuel, food, medicines, and medical equipment helps maintain the health and well-being of Ukrainian forces, indicating that Western non-military aid can help reduce the levels of deaths, injuries, and illnesses among Ukrainian forces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the military aid provided by the West also has limitations and shortcomings, especially in terms of achieving strategic victory and changing the balance of power on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Some examples of limitations and shortcomings identified by analysts are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The amount and type of military aid provided by the West do not match Ukraine&#8217;s needs and requests, indicating that the West lacks strong and consistent commitment to help Ukraine. For example, the US only provided 200 units of Javelin to Ukraine, while Ukraine requested 1,200 units. Furthermore, the West did not provide heavier offensive military equipment such as tanks and fighter jets, which are highly needed by Ukraine to counter Russian air and long-range missile attacks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The military aid provided by the West is not sufficient to counterbalance the advantage in quantity and quality of troops, armaments, and ammunition held by Russia, indicating that the West lacks adequate capability to challenge Russia. For example, Russia has about 800,000 troops ready to be deployed on the Ukrainian border, while Ukraine only has about 250,000 troops. Furthermore, Russia has over 20,000 tanks, 40,000 armored vehicles, 4,000 fighter jets, and 6,000 ballistic and cruise missiles, while Ukraine only has about 2,000 tanks, 10,000 armored vehicles, 200 fighter jets, and 300 missiles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The military aid provided by the West is ineffective in stopping or reducing Russian aggression against Ukraine, indicating that the West lacks significant influence on Russian behavior. For example, despite providing military aid and economic sanctions to Russia, Russia continues its occupation and attacks in Donbas, as well as increasing military pressure on the Ukrainian border. Furthermore, despite condemning Russian aggression and reaffirming the commitment to uphold Ukraine&#8217;s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia continues to disregard international law and refuses to recognize Ukraine&#8217;s independence and choices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Challenges and Risks Faced by the West in Providing Military Aid to Ukraine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Providing military aid to Ukraine is not easy for the West, as there are many challenges and risks to be faced, both internally and externally. Some examples of challenges and risks faced by the West are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Domestic political and legal challenges, indicating that the West lacks strong consensus and legitimacy to provide military aid to Ukraine. For example, in the US, there are differences of opinion between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party regarding the amount and type of military aid to be provided to Ukraine, as well as its impact on US-Russia relations. Furthermore, in the EU, there are differences of opinion among member states regarding the level of EU involvement and responsibility in the Ukraine crisis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logistics and operational challenges, indicating that the West lacks sufficient capacity and efficiency to provide military aid to Ukraine. For example, delivering military aid to Ukraine requires significant time, effort, and resources, as well as facing various obstacles and risks, such as Russian air and missile attacks, Russian sabotage and espionage, as well as corruption and inefficiency in Ukraine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic and security challenges, indicating that the West lacks clear and consistent vision and policy to confront Russia. For example, the West does not want to provoke Russia and trigger a large-scale war with Russia, but also does not want to abandon Ukraine and let Russia dominate Eastern Europe. Furthermore, the West does not want to worsen relations with Russia and undermine global stability and peace, but also does not want to ignore Russian aggression and violations of international law.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In war, money and weapons are indeed important, but not everything. Victory in war is not only determined by the quantity and type of weapons, but also by strategy, tactics, morale, and courage of the troops, as well as support and solidarity of the society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, although the US gives Ukraine over 60 billion and Europe 50 billion, they cannot compensate for the shortage of Ukrainian military personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Western military aid to Ukraine remains important and valuable, as it can help Ukraine defend its sovereignty, protect its people, and uphold international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, the West must continue to provide military aid to Ukraine, but also must consider and overcome the challenges and risks faced, as well as seek more effective and sustainable solutions and alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we must remember that war is not a solution to conflicts and problems, but only creates more suffering and damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, we must strive to prevent and stop wars, and promote dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation to achieve peace, justice, and progress for all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>jlk &#8211; Ukraine, a country situated between two major powers, Europe and Russia, is facing the threat of invasion from its stronger neighbor. Since 2022, Russia has occupied parts of eastern Ukraine, known as Donbas, and continues to escalate military pressure on the borders. Ukraine, lacking sufficient troops, armaments, and ammunition to resist, has sought [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":11345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[11191,11189,11193,11197,11195],"class_list":["post-11360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sorotan","tag-geopolitics","tag-international-relations","tag-military-assistance","tag-political-challenges","tag-western-military-aid"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11360\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jailangkung.com\/api-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}