Ukraine received billions of dollars in Western military aid in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, which it used to reform its defense industry. The sinking of the Moskva, the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, in April 2022 showcased Ukraine’s military-industrial advances, boosting morale and degrading Russia’s naval capabilities. Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, were embraced by the West as a developing democracy that was defending itself against an autocratic neighbor, and Western leaders visited Kyiv to demonstrate their solidarity and pledge their continued support. Western countries also imposed economic sanctions that sought to weaken and isolate Russia, though results were mixed.
Russia-Ukraine War Article