In his latest opinion piece for The Hill, Maksym Skrypchenko, President of the Transatlantic Dialogue Center (TDC), analyzes the shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine under President Trump from a “direct donor” approach to a “strategic supplier” model.
Skrypchenko argues that while this change alters the traditional framework of U.S. support, it offers both challenges and opportunities: “This evolution represents a pragmatic and potentially more sustainable form of transatlantic burden-sharing, securing critical capabilities for Ukraine while invigorating the U.S. defense industrial base and recalibrating the nature of allied support. Support is still ‘as long as it takes’ but also ‘at the others’ expense.’”
Key points from the article include:
- A transactional, burden-sharing approach may drive greater European strategic autonomy and defense integration.
- Ukraine’s critical need for Patriot air-defense systems remains non-negotiable, as these U.S. systems are unmatched in countering ballistic missile threats.
- The foreign military sales model could stimulate the U.S. defense industrial base, ensuring both allies and the U.S. benefit economically from long-term contracts.
- Trump’s evolving rhetoric underscores that Russia remains the primary obstacle, not Ukraine, and that continued support aligns with U.S. strategic and economic interests.
Skrypchenko concludes that this new model could create a more predictable and sustainable security architecture, where both the U.S. and Europe are better positioned to support Ukraine’s defense needs without undermining their own capabilities.
Read the full article in The Hill
