Ukraine's fatigue takes hold in the West as political divides deepen: Will this dampen Ukraine's EU hopes?
Martin Sandbu, the author of the commentary, highlights that he had predicted the 'Ukraine fatigue' only two months after the Russian invasion. Although the durability of the West's moral, financial, and military support is commendable, the sheer exhaustion is eventually catching up. However, the onset of this fatigue has not altered the EU leaders' decision to engage in membership discussions with Ukraine. This decision itself was challenging due to the overwhelming fatigue.
2:41 PM EST, December 17, 2023
Sandbu notes that the last month has seen a significant decline in public sentiment towards Ukraine. Focus has shifted from the valor of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his exhaustion, and from Ukrainian unity to political divisiveness. "Much is being said about the mistrust between the President and his leading general, Valeriy Zaluzhny, and the stalemate in the counter-offensive. The insufficient financial and military support from the West has rightly garnered significant attention," Sandbu writes.
Although none of these factors are new, the swift reinterpretation of well-known facts as signs of a weakening Ukraine and a faltering West is alarming. "The narratives have shifted dramatically in a short period, irrespective of the battlefield situation. Vladimir Putin's bet on the West's inability to persevere seems more plausible now," he explains.
Realizing this, Western leaders are trying to counteract these narratives. However, they need to address their obliviousness towards the gravity of the conflict in their countries. Simply stating "Ukraine's fight is our fight" and promising to stand with Kyiv indefinitely is no longer sufficient.
"We are wrestling with public fatigue regarding a conflict that continues due to our delay in providing Ukraine with robust support. Today's leaders are required to invest more political capital as they previously evaded difficult political decisions. This applies to weapons as well as financial backing," he notes.
The looming risk of Trump's re-emergence as US President
As pointed out by Sandbu, Western leaders gave their societies the impression that the task was easier than in reality. They avoided requesting sacrifices in terms of transitioning to a light mode of a war economy.
"This remains critical for Europe, whose security depends on assisting Ukraine to achieve victory - particularly if Donald Trump reassumes the position of the US president. Resilience and strategic autonomy require some ability to accept certain setbacks. Ukraine's defeat would exacerbate the situation," Martin Sandbu emphasizes.
Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's first lady, has appealed to the Western world for support. "If the world abandons us, we face death," she voiced in an interview with the BBC. "We urgently need help. Speaking frankly - we cannot afford fatigue because if we falter, we die. And if the world grows weary, it will simply leave us to perish," Zelenska added.
