一剑飘尘：援助乌克兰，美国为什么要承担更多责任

I wrote a longer article this time to explain why the United States supports Ukraine. I hope I can explain it clearly.

• The discussion about Europe's support for Ukraine being less than that of the United States has attracted widespread attention. However, after a deeper analysis, it can be found that this comparison does not fully take into account the differences between the two sides in terms of international responsibilities, economic strength and military capabilities.

1. The Distribution of International Responsibilities: America's Global Leadership Role

The United States plays a dominant role in global affairs, with its military and economic influence requiring it to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining international order. European countries generally acknowledge America's hegemonic position and the global status of the U.S. dollar, which means that the U.S. is expected to take on greater responsibilities in global security matters. Therefore, America's greater support for Ukraine aligns with its role as a global leader. For instance, in NATO's principle of collective defense, U.S. actions are often decisive. If the U.S. were to abandon its support for Ukraine, it would essentially be abandoning its leadership role. In the short term, this could save billions annually, but the loss of soft power—such as the influence of the U.S. dollar and its global leadership status—would outweigh these savings by hundreds of times.

1. Economic Strength Comparison: The Per Capita GDP Gap

The United States has a significantly higher per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to European countries. According to the International Monetary Fund, the per capita GDP of the U.S. in 2023 was about $70,000, while the average per capita GDP of European Union countries was about $40,000. This disparity in economic strength directly affects each country's ability to provide foreign aid. America's stronger economic power allows it to contribute more funds, while European countries, despite their limited economic capacity, have already done their best to provide support. For example, although Germany and France have offered aid, their economic burdens are relatively higher.

1. Military Capability Comparison: Defense Spending and Armament Levels

The United States' defense spending far exceeds that of European countries. In 2022, U.S. defense spending accounted for 39% of global military expenditures, whereas European countries collectively accounted for only about 20%. This difference in military investment gives the U.S. a clear advantage in weaponry, military technology, and global deployment capabilities. As a result, the U.S. can provide more military aid to Ukraine, while European countries, with their relatively lower levels of military readiness, have already done their utmost to support Ukraine. For instance, countries like Poland and the United Kingdom have supplied weapons, but the scale and technological sophistication of their contributions pale in comparison to those of the United States.

1. Weapon Aid and U.S. Economic Benefits: Leveraging Obsolete Stockpiles

A significant portion of U.S. aid to Ukraine consists of weaponry, much of which comes from existing stockpiles of outdated equipment. These weapons incur no additional production costs and often require dismantling or maintenance before use, creating economic benefits for U.S. defense industries. For example, reports indicate that much of the U.S.-supplied aid includes expired or soon-to-expire ammunition and equipment, which would otherwise entail high disposal costs. Instead, through this aid, these stockpiles are effectively cleared while generating new employment opportunities and economic activities. According to 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Defense, over 60% of the aid provided came from existing stockpiles, directly reducing the cost of storing and handling these obsolete weapons while stimulating new orders and production activities for defense companies. Comparatively, European countries do not possess defense industries as powerful as those of the United States. Supporting Ukraine does not yield the same economic benefits for Europe as it does for the U.S.