Theo Matthias: Why Support Ukraine?

This photo released by Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov's telegram channel on Monday, March 18, 2024, shows emergency ministry employees working at the destroyed building after shelling from the Ukrainian side, in Nikolskoye village, Belgorod region, Russia. Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov says four people were killed in the shelling, not far from the border with Ukraine.

This photo released by Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov's telegram channel on Monday, March 18, 2024, shows emergency ministry employees working at the destroyed building after shelling from the Ukrainian side, in Nikolskoye village, Belgorod region, Russia. Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov says four people were killed in the shelling, not far from the border with Ukraine. Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov telegram channel via AP

Published: 03-24-2024 11:17 AM

In 1991, the three greatest nuclear powers were the US, USSR, and Ukraine. The USSR’s break-up had left nuclear stockpiles in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Ukraine possessed so many nukes, it became the world’s third largest nuclear power.

In 1992, the Lisbon Protocol was signed to alleviate nuclear proliferation fears. The Protocol committed the former Soviet states to return their nuclear weapons to Russia for protection under the 1970 NPT Treaty. Remembering the devastation suffered in World War II, Ukraine became concerned for its security absent a nuclear deterrent capability; its 1,226-mile border with Russia presented a significant risk. Ukraine was reluctant to surrender its nukes.

In 1994, Ukraine’s security concerns were mollified by the US, UK, Russia signing the Budapest Memorandum. The co-signatories assured Ukraine’s security in return for surrendering their nukes. With these assurances, Ukraine then acceded. In 2014, Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula threatened Ukraine’s security. Russia’s later annexation of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts exacerbated security concerns. Ergo, several things are clear: Russia violated the 1994 Budapest Memorandum; Russia continues to kill hundreds of Ukraine’s citizens each day; Only the US and UK are left assure the security of Ukraine under the Budapest Memorandums’ terms.

The US obligation to support Ukraine is clear. However, some politicians are shirking responsibility in upholding US commitments made to Ukraine. Thus, the world is increasingly questioning our “reliability” to honor our international commitments. As a country, we are better than that!

Theo Matthias

Easthampton