Don’t Fall For The Right’s “Realistic” Argument When It Comes To Ukraine- Russia Talks

Matt Grodsky is the Vice President of Matters of State Strategies and a former Communications Director at the Arizona Democratic Party.

The main argument being used by the right regarding negotiations around Ukraine centers on “being realistic”. This is an idea that suggests that victory for Ukraine is unrealistic, so we need to opt for a middle ground or appeasement. 

Democrats are seeing this argument in conservative opinion pieces and on cable news commentary, and it is permeating social media. Even some of the best-intentioned individuals- people that aren’t necessarily on the MAGA train — are getting swept up in this “realistic” assessment and pushing these flawed talking points. 

Here’s what Democrats need to remind people: Victory in Ukraine is possible. But it requires upping the investment. The U.S. and Europe have been arming Ukraine for a stalemate, and that has achieved a stalemate. Ukraine needs to be armed for victory. 

Victory means Ukraine joining NATO and Russia withdrawing from Ukraine. Achieving that keeps China and other authoritarian countries from invading neighbors and, by extension, protects the world’s democracies, safeguards key manufacturing industries like chips, and maintains global stability.

We know that after three years, Russia’s economy is hurting. It has pivoted to a wartime economy, but continuing the sanctions pressure promises to hold it in check, assuming Western leaders stay the course, that is. 

Indeed, sanctions alone are not enough to contain Russia’s ambitions. Economic woes are not going to deter Putin, and neither will public opinion in Russia. Yes, Putin can outlast a prolonged stalemate if nothing changes in the current environment. And, yes, no Ukrainian ally is ever going to send troops. Therefore, Ukraine must be equipped to defeat Russia with the right tools. Additionally, the West must demonstrate that the supply will be indefinite. This means providing fighter jets, armor, long-range missiles, artillery, better drones, and tech. 

Anything less than that only prolongs the war, which has been decades in the making. If we waver on this effort, nothing will keep Putin from digging in. In that scenario, yes, the “realistic” view has credence. But it only happens if we give up. 

Democrats need to pose this question: Are Americans quitters? Do we turn our back on an ally and risk upending the world order just because something is hard? 

Victory should be our goal. Not the extortion of an ally. The United States has plenty of resources to help Americans. But the administration has decided to actively hurt Americans and deny funding already allocated for our citizens. Halting aid to Ukraine or stealing their minerals is a ridiculous solution to problems that already had funding resources before Trump started hacking away at the government and freezing federal dollars.

Staying the course and giving Ukraine the equipment it needs is essential. Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s not costing American lives. And investing is a hell of a lot better than paying the price for a world run by authoritarian governments who undermine democracies and gobble up smaller countries at will. 

Let’s remember that America once fought a protracted eight-year war where many countries wrote us off as not having a “realistic” shot in hell at defeating the British. Well, foreign investment helped turn the tide for us, and the world was better for it.