The West Must Help Ukraine Outlast Russia

A Wall Street Journal survey released in early November found that the share of Republicans who believe that the U.S. is doing too much to help Ukraine stands at 48%, up from only 6% in March. A month later, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs asked respondents to choose between two policies: supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes, even if it means higher prices for food and fuel; or urging the Ukrainians to settle the conflict, even if it means territorial concessions to Russia, so that U.S. consumers can pay lower prices. Democrats chose to stay the course 61% to 36%, while Republicans polled 33% to 63%, in favor of peace through Ukrainian concessions.

It remains to be seen whether the new House Republican majority will yield to these sentiments, which leading Senate Republicans so far have resisted. Cutting or delaying aid would be irresponsible and could prove disastrous. Instead, Congress and the Biden administration should cooperate to get Ukraine what it needs to survive and move forward.

Ukraine doesn’t need only military assistance. The war has dealt a terrible blow to Ukraine’s economy, which is projected to shrink by 35% this year while inflation surges to about 30%. Its government can’t continue to operate without a steady stream of financial aid from the U.S. and its allies.

Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure has disrupted its water, electricity, heat and transportation systems, and it’s likely to continue. In recent years, Russia officially adopted a new military doctrine, the Strategic Operation for the Destruction of Critically Important Targets, designed to undermine civilian morale and force the adversary to capitulate.

Countering the effects of this doctrine will be no small undertaking. According…