Western support for Ukraine was unwavering amid the early successes of the Ukrainian army. However, now that Russian troops have begun to move forward, albeit slowly, in the Donbas, the rhetoric in Europe and the United States has begun to change.. And this is a problem, warned American political economist and Stanford University professor Francis Fukuyama during a discussion hosted by PEN Ukraine..

“If we look at the situation that developed against the backdrop of the first Ukrainian successes, when the Ukrainian army forced the Russians out of the vicinity of Kyiv, and then pushed them further away from Kharkov, there was optimism. But now, as the fighting continues around the city of Severodonetsk, where Russia is slowly moving forward, we see cracks in this Western coalition.. First, Henry Kissinger called on Ukraine to cede territory for the sake of peace.. Then the New York Times wrote an editorial with the same message.. European leaders such as Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron have started calling Putin in an attempt to negotiate an unblocking of grain exports.. Therefore, I am afraid that this Western unity may be shaken,” Fukuyama said..

He pointed out that the Ukrainian army is now conducting a counteroffensive in the southern direction.. According to Fukuyama, the success of these efforts could have a strong impact on what Western support will be..

“Now Ukrainian forces are going on a counteroffensive in the south. And it will be very important that progress be made in this direction.. First of all, it is important from a military point of view to break this land bridge to the annexed Crimea, which the Russian side seeks to secure.. But also in order to maintain Western support,” the American expert noted..

He also noted that the results of the Russian-Ukrainian war will have global consequences.. Because she practically epitomizes the battle between liberalism and authoritarian populism.. Fukuyama recalled how in 2019 Vladimir Putin gave an interview to the Financial Times, during which he called liberalism an " This statement of his was taken up by populists all over the world: Marine Le Pen in France, Viktor Orban in Hungary and even Donald Trump in the USA..

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“From a certain point of view, the positive result of this war is that people see an alternative to liberalism. And Putin is that alternative,” Fukuyama explained..

However, he noted that the defeat of Ukraine in the war would have disastrous consequences for the political sphere around the world.. If Putin can grab and hold a large chunk of Ukrainian territory, he can claim victory by boasting about occupying the Donbass and gaining the ability to economically strangle Ukraine.. This will allow him to cross out all military failures, destruction, crimes and deportations of people.. And the populists will rally around him again.