U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have published an op-ed in The Washington Post, challenging the narrative that Russia is winning its war against Ukraine. They reflect on the early days of the conflict, recalling how U.S. officials predicted Kyiv would fall quickly after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
“Yet, the Russian tanks that attempted to topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government were either destroyed or forced to retreat. By April, not only had Putin failed to install a friendly government in Kyiv, his military couldn’t secure a foothold anywhere near Ukraine’s capital. Instead, Ukraine successfully confined Russia’s troops to the far east of their country, where Russia has tried to steal territory since 2015,” they wrote.
The senators note that after nearly four years of fighting, Russia has lost about a third of its strategic bombers and continues to lose equipment at higher rates than Ukraine. They state that “It is Russia that has borne more than 1 million casualties, dead and wounded, in grinding battles of its own making.” The piece criticizes predictions of a swift Ukrainian defeat as incorrect both then and now.
McConnell and Shaheen also address bipartisan criticism of what they call excessive caution by the Biden administration regarding weapons deliveries to Ukraine: “It is more than plausible that the Ukrainians could have achieved a decisive victory and lasting peace if they were simply granted the fighter jets, air defenses and long-range weapons when they initially requested them from President Joe Biden. But American assistance was often too little, too late.”
They argue this hesitation prolonged Putin’s aggression and led other adversarial nations like China, Iran, and North Korea to question U.S. credibility.
Looking forward, McConnell and Shaheen see an opportunity for President Donald Trump “to end this conflict on favorable terms for Ukraine, America and the West,” but warn against repeating past mistakes.
The op-ed discusses recent developments around Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine: “Administration officials say that the ‘fall’ of the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk is a bellwether for what’s to come for Ukraine. Yet, Pokrovsk…has yet to fall.” The senators emphasize Russian losses during attempts to capture this small city.
They highlight economic challenges facing Russia due to sanctions and attacks on energy infrastructure: “Russian oil and gas revenue have fallen more than 30 percent due to attacks on its energy infrastructure… And roughly a quarter of Russian companies are now bankrupt or at risk.”
The authors urge continued U.S. support for European allies investing heavily in defense rather than seeking economic engagement with Russia: “If there are economic fruits of peace, they lie in cooperation with an innovative, Western-oriented Ukraine and a resurgent Europe…”
On negotiations with Moscow, they write: “just as the Russians have barely moved in their ground offensive against Ukraine, they have not moved an inch in negotiations with the U.S.”
They argue wars end when leverage changes: “If the U.S. and its allies want a negotiated end, the only proven viable path is to strengthen Ukraine’s position…” They warn against abandoning Ukraine or conceding territory.
Congressional actions are cited as means for increasing pressure on Putin; measures include tighter sanctions enforcement and transferring frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
“Additional investment in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative — which received overwhelming bipartisan support…would bolster European contributions and help ensure Ukraine has the air defenses…needed,” they write.
The op-ed concludes by stating: “Putin is betting the U.S. will talk itself into believing Ukraine cannot succeed…Kyiv is not losing, and Moscow is not winning. It is up to Washington to match Ukraine’s resolve with the clarity this moment demands.”
Jeanne Shaheen represents New Hampshire as a Democrat; Mitch McConnell represents Kentucky as a Republican; both serve in the U.S. Senate.