Peace through Strength is the Key to Security for Ukraine and the US: Austin and Blinken Write a Joint Column

Peace through strength is the key to security for Ukraine and the United States: Austin and Blinken wrote a joint column Sergey Popovich

Pursuing a policy of peace through strength remains critical to Ukraine's survival and US security, according to a joint op-ed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The preservation of Ukraine to this day is a strategic success for the United States. This is reported by 24 Kanal, citing The New York Times.

Why peace through strength is the key to Ukraine's survival

The joint statement by Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken says that Western support for Ukraine is the key not only to its survival, but also to American strategic security.

Pursuing a policy of peace through strength is vital to Ukraine's survival and America's security. The United States and its allies and partners must continue to support Ukraine and strengthen their position for negotiations that will eventually end Putin's war, U.S. officials said.

They noted that Ukraine's successes to date are a significant strategic achievement for the United States. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin faces a difficult choice.

“Since Putin began the war, Russia has killed or wounded more than 700,000 troops. He now increasingly faces an agonizing dilemma: either take large losses for minimal gains, possibly by mobilizing in a way that would create domestic instability, or seriously negotiate with Ukraine to end his war,” the officials said.

U.S. financial and military aid has created significant leverage for Ukraine and a future U.S. administration, the officials said.

That leverage should be used to achieve a lasting peace that allows Ukraine to deter further Russian aggression, defend its sovereignty, and thrive as an independent democracy, Blinken and Austin.

But withdrawing that support now or forcing Ukraine to agree to an early ceasefire would only give Putin a chance to catch his breath, regroup, and attack again.

That would be peace through capitulation, which would not be peace at all, Blinken and Austin concluded.

Recall that Blinken emphasized the importance of leaving a strong US position for the next administration, in particular on Ukraine. He stressed that the allies are taking on the bulk of aid to Ukraine, even more than the US.

If the new administration wants to return to isolationism, to give up leadership, then “someone else” will lead.