‘Do More’
Terry H. Schwadron
March 17, 2022
Perhaps the sole surprise of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s emotional and justified appeal to Americans for yet more aid and protection was how ready our leaders are to embrace the images of war.
A single two-minute video of war from the view of Ukrainian victims and brave defiance by a combative Zelensky probably did more towards moving bipartisan financial and military aid than the sustained reports from U.S. intelligence agencies and the White House itself. So too were the allusions Zelensky pulled from American history to sharpen the appeal for our help, and his broader pitch that world leadership means protecting the peace wherever threatened — something current world bodies and alliances are not able to do.
Of course, the instant breathlessness from our members of Congress for the defense of democracy as we know it remains relatively safe when compared with imagery of actual bombs striking civilian neighborhoods. Sabers galore rattled, but no talk of sending our own troops into the worsening fight.
Though issues remain about the best means to protect from heightened Russian attacks on civilians, there seemed little disagreement about pushing the U.S. commitment to defend Ukraine further and faster — so long as short of engaging in exactly the manner that Ukrainians or anyone under fire really want.
In responding to the drama, President Joe Biden was comparatively unemotional in declaring the specific answers are more antiaircraft and anti-armor systems, including drones, rather than enforcement of a formal no-fly zone that would be seen as an escalation to Russia. But there is no question that our otherwise divided government is responding by the billions of dollars of equipment and humanitarian aid.
For the 18 minutes that Zelensky kept the rapt attention of sloganeering politicians, there seemed a magic moment of understanding that there is something more important at stake than reelection and partisan maneuvering. Credit Zelensky’s grit and his grip on commanding an international stage to stop bickering — even the war itself — for something nobler.
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