Support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia remains uneven across Europe and the West, despite widespread recognition that ongoing assistance entails relatively low costs and substantial strategic benefits, according to U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw. Speaking recently, Crenshaw argued that the primary obstacle to increased support is political hesitation rather than practical or financial constraints.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States alone has contributed over $100 billion in aid, most of which has been spent on American-made military equipment. Early concerns about the financial burden and the risk of escalation into a broader conflict with Russia were understandable, Crenshaw said, but he now views these fears as largely unfounded. He asserted that continued backing helps maintain European stability and prevents Vladimir Putin’s forces from gaining ground directly on NATO borders, which would risk prolonged tensions and costs.
Ukraine has reportedly developed a highly efficient domestic military-industrial base capable of rapidly producing and deploying new technologies. With these advances, Crenshaw believes the major remaining needs for Ukraine are targeted intelligence sharing and enhanced ballistic missile defenses, particularly to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from Moscow’s missile strikes.
The Russian military has employed ballistic missiles extensively to undermine Ukrainian morale and infrastructure, especially energy facilities, with the apparent objective of weakening Ukraine’s resolve before winter. While Patriot missile defense systems offer the best protection against these attacks, limited supplies and slow production of interceptors have prevented rapid deployment at the needed scale.
As an alternative approach, Crenshaw highlighted Ukraine’s use of drones to target Russian missile launchers, which are mobile and heavily defended. Crucial to this effort is Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which enables resilient battlefield communications and drone guidance. However, Crenshaw noted that Starlink’s operation inside Ukraine has faced interruptions, and he urged that the service be expanded over Russian territory to facilitate drone strikes on missile launchers.
Musk has maintained that Starlink connections should be used only for defensive purposes, a position Crenshaw views as compatible with targeting of Russian missile sites. He also referenced Starshield, the Pentagon’s military-grade satellite network, but noted that its coverage remains too limited to meet Ukraine’s immediate needs.
Concerns about escalating conflict through the use of Starlink over Russia are addressed by Ukraine’s pledge to restrict its use to targeting missile launchers, with the possibility of swift disconnection in case of violations, Crenshaw said. He emphasized the West’s leverage to enforce such conditions and to exert broader pressure on Russia.
Crenshaw also criticized recent U.S. policy decisions, including President Donald Trump’s executive order exempting Russia from sanctions authorized by the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. He called on the administration to reconsider this exemption and enforce penalties intended to weaken Russia’s economy, particularly given Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems following U.S.-brokered ceasefire efforts.
The congressman framed increased support for Ukraine—intelligence aid, delivery of weapons through NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List funding mechanism, and enhanced missile defense efforts—as strategically necessary and timely. He urged prompt action to capitalize on the relatively low cost and high impact of these measures in deflecting Russia’s aggression and preserving regional stability.