Ukraine Developmental Aid and the Defense of Ukraine from Russia

Executive Summary

Use Ukrainian developmental aid to:


1. Close the capabilities gap in anti-aircraft, anti-tank and anti-balistic missile systems along the Russian border.
2. Wean Ukraine off Russian Natural Gas Dependence by providing American and Canadian liquified Natural Gas, ending the ban on American Oil and Gas exports and by making Ukraine the center for clean coal technologies in Europe.
3. Foster conditions where European and American Businesses can benefit from lower labor costs to create hard industry and manufacturing base in Ukraine.
4. Let the service industry thrive by eliminating barriers to open and close businesses.

With 16 billion dollars raised for Ukraine, it is important to begin considering organizational goals and connecting them to the dispersement of the aid. A significant part of this is going to involve listening to the new Ukrainian government and the direction they want to take their economy. To put in my two cents, however, there are two glaring necessities and a third proposal as to where to direct the Ukrainian economy as it integrates into the EU and some domestic structural changes we can make to help serve the mutual interests of the American, European and Ukrainian people.

A. America needs ramp up efforts to close some vital military capability gaps in an effort to adequately deter Russian from moving farther into Crimea. It would be irresponsible to suggest a nuclear deterrent; however, commitments not to create a nuclear a deterrent in Ukraine, and a reiteration of Russia/US/Ukrainian treaty agreements, along with SALT I & II, the ABM Treaty and NEW START Treaty as tensions cool are worthy starting places for future diplomatic discussions with Russia, that can work in negotiations to pull Russia towards the Israeli and American positions on Iran where Russian cooperation can help extend and enforce compliance with Iran's previous 6 month agreement to halt its enrichments capabilities safely below breakout capacity.

B. Bolstering anti-tank, anti-balistic and anti-aircraft defenses on the Ukrainian border with Russia demands immediate attention and making weapons systems available from Germany, France, UK, Sweden and the United States of America is appropriate. On this subject, however, the Pentagon has to question if we have not allowed for a US/Russian capabilities gap in anti-aircraft defenses. Now we may very well have weapons systems that I am not privy too, but I am concerned that the Russian made S400 (and S300 that Syria may have, and Iran had at least ordered) is of higher quality than the American make, Mim-104.

A couple systems to consider coming into play along the Russian/Ukrainian border are:

Anti-Air

Mim-14 (US) Nike

Mim-104 (US) Patriot

S400 (Russian) Triumph

Anti-Tank

Milan (french) F2A

Kornet (Russian) 9M113

As far as Anti Ballistic Missile Systems, India has worked closely with Russia on developing their 5^th generation Sukoi fighter jets, but have recently announced (in part over Crimea) moves to turn away from weapons partnerships with Russia. Their recent Prithvi Air Defense and Advanced Air Defense systems may be appropriate, and endorsing a Ukrainian contract could help bolster Indian loyalty to the interests of NATO, US, the British Commonwealths and collaborating Arab League countries.

C. The second pressing issue is weaning Ukraine from Russian energy dependence. American and Canadian Liquified Gas exports is ideal in the short-term because their infrastructure is better equipped for Natural Gas. Removing restrictions on Oil Exports can also help significantly, but raise some caution on the importance of keeping substantial oil reserves in the event of, God forbid, a long and protracted war. Still, easing those restrictions and the economic incentive they produce can better position America to get the oil out of the ground and convert as needed because six months of strategic oil reserves really isn't going to cut it, we are going to need full capacity to rapidly replenish those reserves if push comes to shove.

D. Another solution lives in the extensive amounts of coal in Ukraine. Making Ukraine the center of clean coal in technologies and development in Europe may not be the greenest idea, but based on the realities on the ground, the balance sheets and immediate demands it could work to create a substantial amount of jobs and reduce their spending on Russian Natural Gas exports. Part of the reason coal is traditionally so dirty, is the fact that when coal was burned only about 30% of the latent energy was used within the coal. By incorporating advanced technologies you can get more energy from each unit of coal and then work to develop technologies that capture and dispose of the green house gas emissions without emitting them into the atmosphere. Looking at the American model, if instead of having the EPA go out, ticket and close sights, you have it visit companies with and in collaboration with the banks and clean tech companies to profitably finance the implementation of the cleanest technologies you can create jobs and revenues to help maintain the robust economic base vital to National Security interests. As Ukraine restructures its government, Ukraine can follow our lead in partnership with American clean tech and scientists, by developing environmental organizations that instead of saying no you can't do it because of pollution, teach and fund how to accomplish energy extraction the cleanest way possible. There is going to be a need to revisit some of the EU and US rules surrounding energy to help facilitate these actions.

The other part is going to involve working to make conditions ideal for foreign investment to move significant manufacturing and production bases into Ukraine. Relatively low labor costs and strong bodies, Ukraine presents as a strong prospective location to develop hard industries and manufacturing. Those salaries and wages will then lay an ideal soil for the service and hi-tech industry of tomorrow to take root and thrive.

About the Author

T. Johnson

As I finish a Masters of Science in Homeland Security this May I am interested in employment at a University or College doing scholarly research, writing and teaching, at a Policy Think Tank, magazine or newspaper, or for other similar contracts, including Government Office such as the Foreign Service. 

Please email johnson.theo@gmail.com with your offers for consideration.