As retired military leaders, we believe Ukraine’s survival as a sovereign, democratic country is vital for the security of the United States and the future of international order. Allowing Russia to succeed in its brutal invasion of Ukraine would not only reward atrocities, but embolden Russia to threaten other European states, potentially triggering direct military conflict with NATO. So from the day Putin started this war, we have urged the Biden administration to send even more aid faster to Ukraine, and pressed members of Congress of both parties to fund that aid. 

But right now, we believe that the single most important thing Americans can do for Ukraine – and for America’s security – is to elect a president who will provide steady and strong leadership in standing up to Russia and with allied support help Ukraine win. Based on the clear record of what the candidates have said and done, it’s undeniable that only Kamala Harris will do that. Donald Trump has told us he will do the opposite.

The differences between Harris and Trump on Ukraine could not be greater.

First, Harris understands the difference between right and wrong in this terrible war. She called Putin’s invasion of Ukraine “an assault on our common values, an attack on our common humanity.” She has praised Ukraine’s leaders and people for their courage in standing up to Russian aggression.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, praised Putin’s criminal actions as “savvy” and “genius.” He has mocked Ukraine’s President Zelensky as “the world’s greatest salesman” and blamed Ukraine for having “let the war start.” His running mate J.D. Vance has said “I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine.”

Second, Harris has done everything in her power to help Ukraine. She fought for Congress to approve billions of dollars in military and economic aid to produce weapons in American factories that brave Ukrainians have used to destroy half of Russia’s land army. 

In contrast, Donald Trump used his allies in Congress to hold up that aid for six months as Ukrainian forces ran out of ammunition, losing lives and territory to Russia.

Third, Harris supports a just end to the war that vindicates the sacrifices Ukrainians have made. 

Standing with Zelensky at the White House last week, she stated that “nothing about the end of this war can be decided without” the consent of Ukraine. She rightly condemned proposals for Ukraine to give up its sovereign territory or its right to join NATO, and said she would work to ensure that “Ukraine prevails in this conflict and remains a free, democratic, and independent nation.”

Trump, on the other hand, has repeatedly refused to say that he wants Ukraine to win. He suggested that Ukraine should simply give in to Russia because he believes (falsely) that Russia always wins its wars. He endorsed a plan to force Ukraine to surrender territory and give up NATO membership forever, promising he’ll try to end the war on what are essentially Putin’s terms even before he’s sworn in.

Finally, Harris understands the danger ahead for America and our allies in Europe and Asia if we let Putin win. She has said that “if we allow aggressors like Putin to take land with impunity, they will keep going.” She knows that other dictatorships, including China, would be emboldened to attack their neighbors if Russia prevails.

Meanwhile Trump has said — and these are his actual words — that he would “encourage” the Russians to do “whatever the hell they want” to our allies.

Again, these are not small differences, but a stark contrast of strength versus weakness. One candidate for president, Kamala Harris, has made clear that she will stand by Ukraine and our NATO allies against Russian aggression — in the same tradition as every past president, Republican and Democrat, from Reagan to Bush to Biden. The other candidate, Donald Trump, has opposed helping Ukraine and pledged to cut a deal that will give Vladimir Putin, one of America’s greatest adversaries, most of what he wants.

Remember, Ukrainians aren’t asking us to fight their war for them. They will keep putting themselves in harm’s way to win it. All they want from us is moral and political support and the ammunition to protect their country and the whole democratic world from Putin’s aggression.

At this moment, Ukraine’s victory depends as much on the outcome of our presidential election as it does on any front line battle with the Russian army. The ballots Americans cast on November 5 will determine if Ukrainians have bullets to fire tomorrow. So let’s cast those ballots for someone who believes in their cause and will continue to have their backs.

About the Authors

Lt. General Frederick Benjamin "Ben" Hodges III, retired United States Army officer, served as commanding general, United States Army Europe. He has been Senior Advisor to Human Rights First since June 2022 and also serves as NATO Senior Mentor for Logistics

Brigadier General Peter Zwack, retired United States Army officer, had a 35-year Army career that began enlisted at the Officers Candidate School in 1980 and ended with his retirement in 2015. He deployed world-wide as a military intelligence officer and later as a diplomat in the Army Foreign Area Officer corps. He also served in multiple NATO staff and leadership positions in diverse locations such as West Germany, Afghanistan, South Korea and Kosovo while closely working NATO Enlargement issues on the Joint Staff before becoming the US Senior Defense Attache to Russia from 2012-2014.

Image Credit: Creative Commons.