Blood and treasure: Ukraine and the cost of isolationism

Last year, when President Biden addressed the U.N. General Assembly, his first topic was the war in Ukraine with a blistering condemnation of Russia's aggression.

This year, it was practically the last topic in a bureaucratic speech (you can tell when the State Department bureaucracy produces a speech because every bureau made sure to stuff its precious few sentences somewhere into the 27-minute text).

However, as he addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine his voice rose and his passion was evident:

"Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence. But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United Nations Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I respectfully suggest the answer is no.

"We have to stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow. That's why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity - and their freedom."

It was the only moment in the speech when the assembled world leaders, including Ukraine President Zelenskyy, broke into applause. If the audience had been a group of average Americans, would they have done the same?

There are certainly indications that support is softening in some places, particularly among so-called MAGA Republicans. Given our politics, this has become one more tribal issue.

Their arguments play to those who believe the U.S. expends too much blood and treasure abroad. This isolationist streak in American politics has existed since America's founding, when it could shelter behind two broad oceans. "Peace, commerce, and honest friendships with all nations and entangling alliances with none," wrote Thomas Jefferson.

Since World War II and the arrival of nuclear weapons, however, isolation has not been a realistic option.

Some have balked at the continuing cost with no end in sight. Others believe this is a European problem and they can finance this war. Some just see it as a moment of political leverage - not one more dime for Ukraine until our southern border is secure.

In the year and a half since the war started, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with about $75 billion in aid, and we have expended another $40 billion replenishing our stocks of weapons and ammunition. The president has asked Congress for another $24 billion. Forty-six other nations have provided almost $100 billion in aid. The U.S. has not shouldered this burden alone.

For comparison's sake, remember that we spent roughly $5.2 trillion on the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria or that the defense budget now stands at $800 billion. And Americans are not doing the fighting and dying in Ukraine. A chunk of that $5.2 trillion is the continuing cost of caring for our wounded veterans.

Ukraine's counter-offense has been slow going, though there is progress. War is a hard, brutal business. We need to show patience. Those who call for a negotiated settlement must understand that there is no one on the Russian side to negotiate with. Vladimir Putin shows no signs of reconsidering his criminal act.

The president spoke about the international order - a rules-based order America constructed after World War II. It is the bedrock of our prosperity. However, if Russia's invasion is allowed to succeed the world will become a much more dangerous place and then much more blood and treasure will be on the line and it will be American blood and much more American treasure.

• Keith Peterson, of Lake Barrington, served 29 years as a press and cultural officer for the United States Information Agency and Department of State. He was chief editorial writer of the Daily Herald 1984-86.