Ukraine President Zelenskyy is visiting DC in hopes to secure funding for Ukraine. Two faculty experts below shared their thoughts on this issue. If you’d like to schedule an interview with either of them, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.
Tetiana Hranchak, visiting assistant teaching professor in the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, writes: “President Zelenskyy’s visit is taking place in complicated circumstances. U.S. support for Ukraine is crucial. Ukraine is infinitely grateful for the help received, but, unfortunately, the war continues. The blocking of the ‘Ukrainian’ issue in Congress is a cause for concern, especially against the background of information about the efforts of allies of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, well-known for his sympathy for Putin, to influence representatives of the Republican Party to end aid to Ukraine. However, the aid to Ukraine today is the U.S.’ investment in its own calm and predictable tomorrow. I’d like to believe that routine issues, short-term purposes and political conjuncture will not interfere with the American legislators’ vision of the strategic perspective. Once upon a time, in the 13th century during the Mongol invasion of Europe, the Rus’-Ukrainian prince Danylo Halytskyi tried to organize European countries for a crusade against the Horde. He asked the Pope for the army, but got the title of King and crown instead. I’d like to think that history teaches and this time the hopes of the people of Ukraine will come true.”
Retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, professor of practice at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law, writes: “The visit by President Zelenskyy to Washington represents another inflection point for U.S. support to Ukraine. While the Congressional outlook for additional aid is challenging, there is no question that the Ukrainian armed forces are in need of additional support, particularly as Russian is currently poised for further offensive actions along the line of engagement. Moscow has a strategy of attempting to outlast the west as a means of cementing their territorial gains in Ukraine, and waning support from the U.S. and our allies would certainly advance their goals.”
