Cassandra Hagen, staff writer

11 months and 7 days — that is how long the conflict in Ukraine has continued to drag on. As we tip-toe closer to the one-year mark of the start of this unnecessary and violent conflict, it becomes blatantly clear that unless this war ends soon it may reach a climax and evolve into something far worse. With the intensity of the current dispute escalating, and the violence and destruction becoming more prevalent and pervasive, the hope for negotiation between Russia and Ukraine is increasingly bleak.

This is precisely why American aid to Ukraine is vital and imperative. The U.S. has given billions of dollars in aid and arms to assist Ukrainian forces in the defense of their country, and while there is limited domestic political resistance in the U.S. regarding continuing this necessary civil and military support, there is still hesitation surrounding just how much we should become involved.

But I think we’ve seen enough to know where the correct decision lies. The abhorrent atrocities seen in this war have sparked outrage and indignation globally. Russia has been glaringly unafraid to emphasize its ruthless willingness to not only inflict devastating and debilitating infrastructural damage, but also to carry out its misguided political objectives. 

In recent months, America has repeatedly ruled out making use of the American military in assisting this conflict to avoid further escalation. However, a recent shift in this ambivalent mindset has occurred as both the U.S. and Germany stated that they would send dozens of tanks to Ukraine at their request last Wednesday. President Biden’s announcement on Jan. 25 stated that the U.S has plans to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in order to bolster their weaponry. 

This is a major increase in aid that provides the war-torn nation with much-needed firepower. But the crucial question is this — is it enough? The reality of the situation is that the provided tanks, while a massive expansion of Ukrainian defenses, are unlikely to significantly change the tide of the war and leave no guarantee of a further defense if this aggravation escalates and causes further instability. While these tanks stand to Ukrainian forces as an immense tactical advantage, they only placate the growing issues and may potentially exacerbate them. It is a band-aid solution taped over the gaping wound of this war when sutures are needed to help fix this permanently. Tanks cannot prevent missile attacks or any of the more egregious and terrifying weapons Russia has that they have been insistent that they’re not afraid of using. 

Any prospective outcomes of this war are partially reliant on America’s disposition toward continuing the aid it has provided, as well as bolstering and increasing the military assistance it seems so hesitant to provide in full. While this hesitance during the midst of this war is understandable to a margin of a degree, we have been debating the value of our efforts against the aftereffects of the outcome as people suffer and die every day. I do not see strong enough reasons as to why we are hesitating now. It not only ignores the moral and ethical commitment the U.S. should have to every other free nation, we are also overlooking the suffering happening overseas to people who are just like us, people who want their undeniable right to freedom. 

The USA needs to provide adequate aid, and more — we need to provide the ability for the hope that this war will end, quickly and efficiently. Ukraine needs help urgently, and this fact won’t change today, tomorrow or in the next month. This has gone on for 11 months and 7 days too many, and we need to help make sure it doesn’t go on for any more.