Despite critics’ claims, the world still stands with Ukraine

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, uncertainty looms over the European continent. Several elected officials and pundits have recently called for an end to the war, where they want to pressure Ukraine into a peace agreement with Russia.

Throughout the war, critics have questioned Ukraine’s ability to win. They have argued that Ukraine should have never defended itself against Russia when the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. They have questioned the importance of helping Ukraine succeed against Russia’s war of aggression.

These criticisms are misguided.

First, a forced peace agreement will ignore Ukrainian voices. According to surveys conducted by Gallup, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute, most Ukrainians believe the only way to end the war is by liberating the Russian-occupied territories in southern and eastern Ukraine. They argue that a forced peace agreement would allow Russia to rebuild its military and launch a future invasion, so it must be forced entirely out of the country.

Second, Russia has a history of violating cease-fire agreements. For example, during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, a cease-fire stated that Russia would need to withdraw from the Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia has maintained its presence in both regions to this day.

Similarly, following the first Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the Minsk Agreements were introduced to stop the fighting. The Russian Federation violated the terms by maintaining a military presence in eastern Ukraine and after several cease-fire violations, launched the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Some critics claim that support for Ukraine has declined. But these beliefs are also incorrect. To this day, support for Ukraine remains strong.

Since the full-scale invasion three years ago, the U.S. has provided an estimated $175 billion in defense, humanitarian, medical and financial aid. The House and Senate deliberated on these aid packages, passing legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Ukraine has been very grateful for American aid, and to this day, many Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate continue to support Ukraine.

Similarly, the European Union has provided significant assistance to Ukraine. To date, the EU has allotted approximately $145 billion in defense, humanitarian, medical and financial aid to Ukraine.

The EU member states have spent significant time discussing aid to Ukraine, and all 27 members must agree to these packages before they are delivered. Most recently, the EU announced that it would provide an additional $20.9 billion in defense aid. This will give Ukraine additional ammunition and equipment to fight Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Outside the EU, the United Kingdom has also been a staunch supporter of Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the U.K. has committed $16 billion to Ukraine. It also recently established a 100-year partnership with Ukraine, whereby both countries would look to strengthen their defense and security.

Canada gave Ukraine $12.4 billion in financial assistance and $358 million in humanitarian aid. Norway has committed to $13.9 billion in humanitarian, medical and financial aid through 2030, and Sweden provided an estimated $6.7 billion.

Switzerland donated hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, and Turkey sent 67 truckloads of humanitarian aid. San Marino dispatched three medical trucks and Vatican City provided 260 trucks worth of humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, smaller EU countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova and others provided an additional $1 billion in funds, humanitarian aid and medical supplies.

Critics will argue that only Western countries support Ukraine. They falsely state that North America and Europe are using Ukraine as a proxy to fight against the Russians. In addition, these critics state that the majority of the world is indifferent to the result.

But again, these takes are misguided. In fact, nearly 80 countries worldwide have provided billions of dollars in humanitarian, medical and financial aid to Ukraine throughout the war. Even five of the 10 BRICS member countries have sent aid to Ukraine.

Take, for example, the South American states. Throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Argentina provided over 5.5 tons of medical supplies and humanitarian items. BRICS member Brazil donated 11.6 tons of food, water purifiers and medicine.

Elsewhere on the continent, Chile provided $100,000 in humanitarian aid, and Columbia gave humanitarian aid through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Asian countries have also been supportive of Ukraine. Bahrain, for example, has provided $1 million in relief aid since the war began. Israel donated 100 tons of humanitarian aid and medical supplies. Kuwait sent $2 million in humanitarian aid. Qatar gave more than $5 million and Saudi Arabia $400 million in humanitarian aid and medical supplies. The United Arab Emirates, also a member of BRICS, donated over 50 tons of humanitarian and medical aid.

Armenia sent 10 tons of medicine to the Ukrainians. Azerbaijan provided $5.2 million in medical supplies and equipment, and Georgia sent hundreds of tons of aid through the Red Cross.

Even Central Asian countries with strong ties to Russia have contributed to Ukraine’s fight for democracy and freedom. Kazakhstan sent more than 28 tons of humanitarian and medical aid. Turkmenistan provided a cargo shipment of humanitarian aid, and Uzbekistan gave several tons of humanitarian aid.

In East Asia, BRICS member and Russian ally China has offered approximately $1 million in humanitarian assistance. Japan, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, sent more than $7 billion in aid.

Meanwhile, Mongolia gave $200,000 in humanitarian aid, and the Philippines sent $100,000 in aid. South Korea provided hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, while Taiwan spent tens of millions of dollars on humanitarian and medical assistance.

BRICS member India, a country that has close ties with Russia, gave 230 tons of humanitarian and medical aid. Pakistan sent 15 tons of humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, BRICS member Indonesia gave thousands of dollars in medical aid. Malaysia sent $52,000 in medical aid, Singapore raised $7.4 million in humanitarian assistance, Thailand provided $60,000 in humanitarian aid and Vietnam gave $500,000 in humanitarian assistance.

Morocco gave defense aid and Sudan sent substantial amounts of ammunition. Australia provided $1.5 billion in assistance, and New Zealand committed nearly $32 million in humanitarian aid.

In short, governments across the world have come together to send aid to Ukraine. And outside of the aid provided by governments, millions of citizens around the world have joined the call to support Ukraine during its time of need.

According to the Ukrainian World Congress, nearly 700 cities across 78 countries held rallies in support of Ukraine on the weekend of the war's third anniversary. Elected officials, policymakers, religious leaders and community members came together to support Ukraine. They condemned Russia’s ongoing war and urged the international community to continue assisting Ukraine.

Last year, the Ukrainian World Congress reported that only 69 countries held rallies to commemorate the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The fact that 78 countries held rallies for Ukraine this year suggests that support is growing, and that there are no signs it will wane.

Overall, past and current actions suggest an ongoing global effort to continue helping Ukraine. It is clear that there is unwavering support.

How and when the Russian invasion will end is a mystery. But at the very least, Ukrainians will know that the international community will continue to stand by their side.

Mark Temnycky is a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and an accredited freelance journalist covering Eurasian affairs.

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