When Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he didn’t “have the cards” during an Oval Office meeting earlier this year, he was speaking in part to those in America who see my country as a ‘taker’ of arms and aid as the Russian invasion of our homeland grinds into a fourth year. What is missing from that picture – and what President Trump himself has now come to see – is that for all the assistance we’ve received, Ukraine has much to give both to the United States and the world.
Even as the war continues, it is not too early to begin planning for Ukraine’s eventual recovery. Investments in three core aspects of this promise substantial returns. Defense, energy and agriculture are dynamic areas where Ukraine has as much to give as we have been grateful to receive. This all goes well beyond the historic deal between Kyiv and Washington on rare earth minerals in May of this year.
The current cooperation our countries share is best illustrated by defense because American weapons systems have helped ensure our survival so far. The manufacturers in the United States have been able to see them perform in real time, affording a critical diagnostic that America's adversaries lack in their own defense industries. More importantly still, the surge in demand has led to the creation of jobs on 117 productions lines in 31 American states and 71 cities, according to the American Enterprise Institute.
Technology advances in drone warfare necessitated by the asymmetric challenges we face on the battlefield against our much larger enemy have led to unparalleled partnership and have leapfrogged development in future warfare industries in both our countries. While war is undeniably a tragedy in every instance as we know painfully well, in its wake come silver linings such as those which super-charged America’s economy in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
Looking ahead, a second - and critically important - area of cooperation and mutual development between the United States, its European allies and Ukraine exists in the sphere of energy. As America considers its future power needs, policymakers are revisiting the opportunities posed by safe and reliable nuclear energy. Throughout the war, we have relied on our nuclear sector to keep the lights on for millions. Our experience in this sector offers our partners key lessons, especially when it comes to smaller reactors.
According to a study conducted together with the World Bank late last year, modernizing our energy sector will cost almost $68 billion. The impacts of the war on our outdated, Soviet-era energy infrastructure forces us to make wholescale changes and boldly embrace new ideas and technologies – including those with substantially lower emission outputs. Our country has experience of cooperation with American companies working in the energy sector. In particular with companies such as Westinghouse Electric Company, VR Capital Group and Holtec International. This kind of cooperation needs to be developed and expanded.
The European Union understands its own energy needs are in many respects its economic “Achilles heel,” which to date has forced an unstable reliance on Russia. By developing our own export capacities for electricity, Ukraine can help fill this gap – together with American partners.
Speaking of the continent that lies between us, our country’s abundant agricultural potential has long been referred to as “Europe’s breadbasket.” Prior to Russia’s 2022 invasion, agriculture accounted for 40 percent of our exports.
To restore this capacity, we will rely on our American partners such as Cargill, Archer Daniel Midlands and Louis Dreyfus. We are talking about rebuilding a sector capable of feeding 400 million people around the world, and our common potential in agribusiness opens the door to expanded trade opportunities in the post-war period.
America has been generous in its support of Ukraine during these years of enormous suffering and tribulation for our people. Recognizing who our true friends in the global community are, comparing the complementary potential of our economies, and working together during a period of maximum stress, we have forged the basis of enduring partnerships. Just as the United States has extended its hand, Ukraine is prepared to accept not only the assistance but also the future promise of mutual enrichment.
Together our horizons are filled with promise obscured only by today’s clouds of war. Last May, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told FOX’s Sean Hannity the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine.” We couldn’t agree more.
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