The Importance of Supporting Ukraine: An Ethical, Humanitarian, and Economic Imperative
A photograph captures agricultural workers harvesting barley near the Russia-Ukraine border in Chernihiv, a stark reminder of the stakes involved in the ongoing conflict. This image underscores the critical need for continued support for the Ukrainian people, a support that must be grounded in ethical, religious, and humanitarian principles. History will judge our actions based on these values, not solely on economic calculations.
While economic considerations often overshadow ethical concerns, ignoring the implications of ceding Ukrainian land to the Kremlin would be a grave mistake. Such a concession would inflict significant economic damage on America’s agricultural sector and jeopardize the long-term food security of numerous nations. Contrary to some analysts’ claims, Ukraine’s fertile farmland, a major global breadbasket, is not merely collateral damage; it is a central component of Putin’s ambitions.
Ukraine’s agricultural potential remains largely untapped. Generations of political instability and inefficient collective farming practices have hampered its development. However, advancements in technology, communication, and education are rapidly transforming Ukrainian agriculture, making it a crucial supplier for a significant portion of the globe. Fifteen African countries, for instance, rely on Russia and Ukraine for over half their wheat imports. This dependency extends far beyond Africa, impacting the Middle East and Asia, which also receive substantial quantities of Ukrainian wheat, barley, and sunflower meal.
Surrendering Ukrainian agricultural production to Russia would concentrate immense food security power in the Kremlin’s hands. Russia’s history demonstrates its willingness to exploit such leverage for geopolitical gain, as evidenced by its use of free grain offers to African nations while simultaneously blockading Ukrainian exports.
The ramifications for the United States are equally significant. American farmers and agricultural businesses would face intensified competition from a significantly empowered Russia, a country with a long history of manipulating global commodity markets through controlled grain inventories. This competition would place American farmers at a disadvantage, undermining their ability to compete fairly on the global stage. This reality resonates with the sentiments of American farmers I’ve known throughout my career, who have long expressed frustration with the unfair competition posed by foreign governments, particularly Russia.
Allowing Russia to control Ukraine’s breadbasket would equip the Kremlin with a potent tool to manipulate and destabilize global commodity markets for an indefinite period. This is an unacceptable risk for the United States. Supporting Ukraine is not merely a humanitarian imperative; it is a crucial strategic and economic necessity.
About the Author: Rich Vander Ziel started his career in 1974, working in sustainable, organic farming with his wife Nancy. They operated an organic dairy farm until 2021 and continue to raise corn, small grains, and livestock.
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