U.S.–Ukrainian Relations in the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine

Abstract

The article examines US-Ukrainian relations during 2014-2026. The author examines the foreign policy approaches of US presidents to the formation of Washington's strategy towards Ukraine. Bilateral relations, as the author states, have developed with ups and downs, under the influence of a number of factors, bias, challenges, threats, national interests etc. The article reflects the positions of US presidents, from B. Obama to D. Trump, including his second term. In particular, the author emphasizes that one of the key shortcomings of the bilateral strategic partnership model was the lack of established forms of cooperation and value asymmetry in the systems of strategic priorities of the two states. At the beginning of the 2014 aggression, the Obama administration refrained from supplying weapons to Ukraine, and only in the second half of 2014 the US position began to change. Washington provided financial assistance, military equipment, etc. During his first term in 2017, Trump did not change the approach of his predecessor. The administration supported the implementation of reforms in Ukraine, provided military aid, certain types of lethal weapons, initiated additional sanctions against Russia, and strengthened the US military presence in NATO. At the beginning of its term, the Biden administration hesitated to provide military aid to Ukraine, but under pressure from Congress and the public, Washington began to provide assistance to Kyiv. The United States began to supply defensive weapons and provide funds for military aid. Washington also imposed sanctions on a number of individuals and organizations, the Russian President, representatives of the Russian elite, Russian legislative bodies, defense and technology companies, state-owned enterprises, and international mediators. During 2022-2026, we observe a change in strategy, as the second Trump administration distanced itself from financing the Armed Forces of Ukraine and focused on negotiations to resolve the war. During 2025-2026, the United States changed its foreign policy course towards Ukraine and its allies, pressuring Kyiv to agree to territorial concessions. At the same time, Washington sanctioned the cessation of arms supplies, demanding payment for them. Despite the ups and downs in US-Ukrainian relations, Washington has played an important role in strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, and continues to do so, despite the change in its strategic approach to Ukraine.