Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Ukraine-Russia / How NATO helped seal Ukraine’s defeat against Russia
Ukraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

February 26, 2025

How NATO helped seal Ukraine’s defeat against Russia

By Daniel Davis

The NATO Dilemma for Ukraine: On February 25, 2022, one day after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, President Biden declared that “Putin’s aggression against Ukraine will end up costing Russia dearly—economically and strategically.  We will make sure of that.” When the war is over and its history written, Biden concluded, “Putin’s choice to make a totally unjustifiable war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger.”

Three years later, with Biden off the world stage following his defeat in last year’s presidential election, Putin and Russia are poised to win the war against Ukraine, despite the massive support given by the U.S. and NATO, and will end in a much stronger position.

How could this be? After the United States and Europe gave such extraordinary amounts of money and machines to Ukraine, after 40 nations assembled to support Ukraine against Russia, how could Ukraine have failed to win and how could Russia gotten stronger? Though there are a number of practical reasons, the core reason for this failure is as embarrassing as it is alarming: NATO bases its policies on a narrative while Russia based its policies on ground truth realities.

Read at 19FortyFive

Author

Photo of Daniel Davis

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

More on Eurasia

In the mediaNATO, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

As Russia and Ukraine press drone war, NATO finds itself caught in crossfire

Featuring Benjamin Friedman

June 5, 2026

Q&AEurope and Eurasia, Alliances, Basing and force posture, NATO

Why Washington needs to withdraw from Europe

By Benjamin Friedman

June 4, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Europe and Eurasia, Iran, Middle East, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Some Disturbing Links Between the Ukraine and Iran Wars

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

June 2, 2026

ExplainerBurden sharing, Basing and force posture, Europe and Eurasia

Stop bargaining with Europe, start leaving

By Benjamin Friedman and Moritz Graefrath

May 27, 2026

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, US‑Israel‑Iran

How the War in Iran Helped Ukraine Go From Problem to Solution

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

May 22, 2026

NATO headquarters in Brussels
In the mediaNATO, Europe and Eurasia

NATO’s top commander downplays U.S. troop withdrawal

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

May 19, 2026

Events on Ukraine-Russia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.