Russia is a party to, particularly respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the prohibition
against acquiring territory through war.
We are leading a united, principled, and resolute response to Russia’s invasion and we have
rallied the world to support the Ukrainian people as they bravely defend their country. Working
with a broad and durable international coalition, we have marshalled near-record levels of
security assistance to ensure Ukraine has the means to defend itself. We have provided
humanitarian, economic and development assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s sovereign, elected
government and help the millions of refugees who have been forced to flee their homes. We will
continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they fight back against Russia’s naked
aggression. And we will rally the world to hold Russia accountable for the atrocities they have
unleashed across Ukraine.
Alongside our allies and partners, America is helping to make Russia’s war on Ukraine a
strategic failure. Across Europe, NATO and the European Union are united in standing up to
Russia and defending shared values. We are constraining Russia’s strategic economic sectors,
including defense and aerospace, and we will continue to counter Russia’s attempts to weaken
and destabilize sovereign nations and undermine multilateral institutions. Together with our
NATO Allies, we are strengthening our defense and deterrence, particularly on the eastern flank
of the Alliance. Welcoming Finland and Sweden to NATO will further improve our security and
capabilities. And we are renewing our focus on bolstering our collective resilience against shared
threats from Russia, including asymmetric threats. More broadly, Putin’s war has profoundly
diminished Russia’s status vis-a-vis China and other Asian powers such as India and Japan.
Moscow’s soft power and diplomatic influence have waned, while its efforts to weaponize
energy have backfired. The historic global response to Russia’s war against Ukraine sends a
resounding message that countries cannot enjoy the benefits of global integration while
trampling on the core tenets of the UN Charter.
While some aspects of our approach will depend on the trajectory of the war in Ukraine, a
number of elements are already clear. First, the United States will continue to support Ukraine in
its fight for its freedom, we will help Ukraine recover economically, and we will encourage its
regional integration with the European Union. Second, the United States will defend every inch
of NATO territory and will continue to build and deepen a coalition with allies and partners to
prevent Russia from causing further harm to European security, democracy, and institutions.
Third, the United States will deter and, as necessary, respond to Russian actions that threaten
core U.S. interests, including Russian attacks on our infrastructure and our democracy. Fourth,
Russia’s conventional military will have been weakened, which will likely increase Moscow’s
reliance on nuclear weapons in its military planning. The United States will not allow Russia, or
any power, to achieve its objectives through using, or threatening to use, nuclear weapons.
America retains an interest in preserving strategic stability and developing a more expansive,
transparent, and verifiable arms control infrastructure to succeed New START and in rebuilding
European security arrangements which, due to Russia’s actions, have fallen in to disrepair.
Finally, the United States will sustain and develop pragmatic modes of interaction to handle
issues on which dealing with Russia can be mutually beneficial.
The United States respects the Russian people and their contributions to science, culture and
constructive bilateral relations over many decades. Notwithstanding the Russian government’s
strategic miscalculation in attacking Ukraine, it is the Russian people who will determine
Russia’s future as a major power capable of once more playing a constructive role in
26
NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY
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