Absolutely. I also think that calls for other countries to help Ukraine with troops are premature.
Look at Afghanistan, the US spent decades with troops on the ground, rebuilding every single institution only to have it all collapse before they even pulled out. In the end the people of Afghanistan didn't feel any ownership in any of it because they didn't build it, so when it came time to defend it they didn't.
I think that the US has learned from that, and in the 8 years since Putin invaded Crimea they have been equipping and training the Ukrainians to defend their own country. If the people of Ukraine make it out of this as an independent country it will a historical moment signifying that Ukraine as a nation is here to stay for the long term because their citizens believe in the institutions and the ideals of their nation.
What I hope for the most from this conflict is the development of stable democracies in both Ukraine and Russia.
Look at Afghanistan, the US spent decades with troops on the ground, rebuilding every single institution only to have it all collapse before they even pulled out. In the end the people of Afghanistan didn't feel any ownership in any of it because they didn't build it, so when it came time to defend it they didn't.
I think that the US has learned from that, and in the 8 years since Putin invaded Crimea they have been equipping and training the Ukrainians to defend their own country. If the people of Ukraine make it out of this as an independent country it will a historical moment signifying that Ukraine as a nation is here to stay for the long term because their citizens believe in the institutions and the ideals of their nation.
What I hope for the most from this conflict is the development of stable democracies in both Ukraine and Russia.