Observing the conflict between Iran and Israel from a Ukrainian viewpoint provides a distinct perspective. On the day the conflict escalated and Israel initiated bombardments of Iran’s nuclear facilities, I witnessed Ukrainian volunteers assisting senior citizens clear debris from a Russian strike. It was a chilling scene in a typically tranquil residential area, the piercing smell of burnt materials hung heavily, as community members gathered to discuss the heartbreaking loss of a family only a few households away.
The shock and despair were clearly present on the faces of residents as they grappled with the reality of this destruction. Natalya Dubchek, a 52-year-old woman, painfully questioned the motive behind these attacks amidst the wreckage that was once her home on Yelizabet Haradske Lane. She managed a narrow escape as her residence was reduced to ashes, the aftermath of a drone strike on a nearby minibus. Her daughter Kataryna was attempting to repair a wall using a mere sheet of metal and a battery operated drill.
The question on everyone’s lips was, ‘Why?’ ‘Why would Russians target harmless children and elderly individuals?’ Natalya’s anguished query resonated with many. Adding to the confusion, was President Donald Trump’s consideration of bombing Iran, while seemingly withdrawing support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian hostility.
Russia, a nuclear-armed nation with an openly Western-detesting leader, arguably presents a significantly larger and more immediate threat to the U.S. This threat is even more pressing given the alliances Russia maintains with China, North Korea, and of course Iran. Yet, the reasons behind the U.S.’s seemingly misbalanced response remain unclear.
Even before the initiation of the Iran-Israel conflict, signs of a diminishing U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine were noticeable. Most notably was Trump’s lax stance towards a ceasefire deadline with Russia, which if not met was supposed to trigger increased U.S. sanctions. Alas, despite the deadline’s passing, the U.S. response was lacking.
With each instance of Trump seemingly capitulating to Putin, there resulted an uptick in Russian aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities. While Iran may have struck an Israeli hospital, Russia’s scope was far wider, targeting medical centers across multiple Ukrainian cities, including children’s cancer facilities in Kyiv, the country’s capital.
In a striking act of disengagement, Trump exited a recent G7 meeting in Canada prematurely, before discussions on further sanctions on Russia were due to occur. Additional diplomatic opportunity was squandered as he also skipped a scheduled meeting with Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The leniency shown by Trump towards Putin not only appears to embolden Russia’s aggressive activity but also undermines Ukraine’s defense efforts. Compounding the issue, Tehran supplied Putin with the necessary technology to create massive amounts of Shahed drones domestically, thus ensuring a steady supply.
Despite Ukraine’s proficiency in technological advancement, it still struggles to develop effective countermeasures against these drones. The grave concern, however, is how involvement in Israeli efforts to instigate ‘regime change’ in Tehran might implicate the White House.
Although both Netanyahu and Trump lack a comprehensive strategic vision for the aftermath of a U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear complex, Israel’s prerogative to neutralize an imminent Iranian nuclear threat remains valid, despite regional humanitarian concerns linked to the Netanyahu government.
Meanwhile, Russia continues with its territorial ambitions. If it can annex parts of Ukraine without repercussions, what would stop a similar attempt with the Aleutian Islands? Moscow’s aggressive military posturing extends in full-force to the Arctic waters, ostensibly in alliance with China, North Korea, and Iran against Western interests.
Ukraine, despite its lack of nuclear armament, has managed to resist Russian military power, which is quadruple in size, for over three years. Had the U.S. committed itself from the beginning to providing as much defensive support to Ukraine as it had to Israel, the war may have reached a different conclusion. Additional sanctions and continued military aid could have compelled Putin to engage in negotiations, an opportunity the U.S. seems to have missed.
It is difficult for Ukrainians, engaged in a fight against a common adversary, to comprehend the lack of U.S. support for their cause. This is especially bewildering considering the U.S.’s potential direct involvement in Middle Eastern affairs with Iran, a country that does not directly threaten it. The general consensus among Ukrainians is that with their technological expertise and strategic skills, they can neutralize Russia if given enough support and access to critical defensive weapons.