You've reached your limit of free articles.
To read the full story, start your free trial today.
Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.
Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.
Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.
Already a subscriber? Log in
A utility worker removes rubble at the site of the building of Kyiv Academy of Art and Design damaged by a Russian missile strike in central Kyiv.
Different obstacles
There is a lot to be bitter about. For months, Ukrainian cities have been the target of Russian missiles and drones — many are the same as the Iranian drones launched against Israel on Saturday night — that Tehran delivers to Russia. Despite its progress, Ukraine's air defense cannot prevent residential buildings or critical infrastructures, such as Kyiv’s power station, from being hit. The Israeli example shows that it is possible to get close to a 100% success rate.
At every stage of military aid, the same logic: hesitation, before taking any further steps.
But the West believes the two situations are not entirely comparable. First, Iran is a little more than 1,000 miles from Israel, and its missiles and drones fly over other countries for hours. Many were shot down in Jordan's airspace. Russia and Ukraine are neighbours, and Russian engines do not take much time to reach Kharkiv or even Kyiv.
Yet we know the obstacle is primarily political. America and its allies do not want to take the risk of confronting Russia head-on, where they have little to fear with Iran.
Israel's Iron Dome defense system launches missiles to intercept rockets fired from Lebanon on April 12.
Ayal Margolin/Jini/Xinhua/ZUMA
Squeezing aid for Kyiv
As soon as Russia invaded 26 months ago, Zelensky called for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, which would have protected the major cities. His request was rejected: we do risk confrontation with a nuclear power. Since then, at every stage of military aid, the same logic has prevailed: hesitation, before taking any further steps.
Ukrainians are not pleased when they see Americans, even when they disagree with Israel’s methods in Gaza, deliver the weapons and ammunition Israel needs, and come to its rescue when Iranian drones arrive. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian army suffers from ammunition shortages, lacks air defense batteries and will only receive the promised F-16 fighter jets in a few weeks.
Following Washington politics only makes their bitterness grow, when they see that despite the promise of a NATO membership, aid for their country is still blocked in Congress. A last effort is underway to unblock it, but the aim is first and foremost to provide emergency aid to Israel, on which there is greater consensus among U.S. politicians.
Despite their differences, comparing the two situations is cruel. After believing themselves to be on the front line in the fight for freedom, Ukrainians are realizing they take a back seat when the Middle East starts going up in flames.
- For Ukraine, Can The "Israel Model" Be A Viable Alternative To NATO? ›
- Should We Read The Middle East And Ukraine As A Single Narrative? ›
- Why Zelensky Is Betting Everything On Ukraine's Support Of Israel ›
