Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently expressed uncertainty about what a Ukrainian “win” against Russia would look like, despite Congress’s $175 billion investment in aid to Ukraine over the last three years. In a discussion with Punchbowl, McConnell acknowledged that no one seems to have an idea of what a victory for Ukraine looks like.
The Kentucky Republican explained that Ukrainians need signs of success to reassure democratic countries that they can win. He added that the conflict’s outcome this summer is crucial in determining whether Ukraine can emerge victorious. McConnell’s comments follow NATO members pushing to include Ukraine into the Atlantic security agreement.
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), and Mike Lee (R-UT) have introduced resolutions in the House and Senate stating that America should not enter an agreement to provide security guarantees for Ukraine nor add it to NATO. They argue that such moves would put American lives, national security, and sovereignty at risk while also circumventing the Constitution’s treaty ratification process.
Notably, foreign policy scholars who opposed the Iraq war have signaled their opposition to adding Ukraine to NATO, arguing that it could increase the likelihood of a future war with Russia. These developments highlight the ongoing debate about the United States’ role in supporting Ukraine and the potential risks associated with escalating tensions with Russia.