Amid Russia’s unjustified war on Ukraine, thousands of women and children are sheltering in subway platforms for days at a time. Others are fleeing with as much of their belongings as they can fit into a suitcase. Russian attacks have flattened entire cities and destroyed schools, churches, and even children’s hospitals. Russia has already destroyed well over $100 billion worth of Ukrainian assets, and most of the country’s businesses have closed, while the others operate at reduced capacity. Most tragically, civilians are being killed at alarming rates.
The Ukrainian people are valiantly resisting this unprovoked Russian war, but they cannot do it alone. For decades, the United States has been a beacon of hope for people who have fought for their liberty and independence from authoritarian regimes, providing those who seek freedom with the optimism, courage, and resilience to defend democracy. The Ukrainian people are the best reflection of this, and we, as Americans, should lead by delivering them the humanitarian relief they desperately need.
Fortunately, we have an efficient and effective means for assisting Ukraine. Under the International Monetary Fund, there is a tool called Special Drawing Rights that was designed by the U.S. and our partners to provide emergency relief to nations experiencing crises. Due to the effectiveness of this reserve asset in helping those who need it the most, it is no surprise that Ukraine has already used the SDRs the country received last year. That’s why Ukrainian officials have asked the United States and other democracies to help them access additional Special Drawing Rights.
The United States has a surplus of these IMF reserve assets. We should send them to Ukraine. By making this commitment, we can help Ukrainians facing homelessness, food shortages, and lack of medicine, and we can fund access to basic healthcare.
Recently, the United Nations estimated that 12 million Ukrainians, who remain in the country, immediately need lifesaving aid. Sadly, the number of people in that category is sure to increase as Russia continues to bomb civilian homes and destroy cities.
Sending Ukraine security assistance and punishing Russia by applying tough sanctions is a good start, but it isn’t enough. Ukraine is our natural ally because of our shared democratic values and mutual respect for religious freedom and the rule of law. Assisting those who strive for democracy and suffer from Vladimir Putin’s assault is not simply the right thing to do, but it also deters future Russian aggression.
There is another reason that warrants this assistance from the United States. Ukrainians have been working to strengthen their democratic government and rights to individual independence since breaking away from the Soviet Union’s grasp more than 30 years ago. Three years after reestablishing its border with Russia, Ukraine voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons in the hope that it would bring lasting peace. The U.S. was a party to Ukraine’s denuclearization, and we agreed to help should the country be threatened. Now, in its moment of need amid a brutal invasion, we must make good on that promise.
Our surplus of SDRs positions the United States to help address the humanitarian crisis that is going to grow until Russia is expelled from Ukraine. The U.S. government can also encourage other Ukrainian allies, especially wealthy nations, to channel additional reserve assets. After the war ends, rebuilding Ukraine’s economy will require smart planning and strategic investing. And neighboring European countries that are taking in Ukrainian refugees will likely need international assistance to provide food, shelter, and clothing.
Critics of sending additional economic relief abroad have warned that it could end up in Russian hands. I wouldn’t support this method of assistance if that were true. In reality, if the United States directly recycles its surplus of SDRs to our allies, no country would have access to this relief except the one we specifically designated as a recipient.
As Putin’s military commits war crimes and continues to carry out atrocities against Ukraine’s civilian population, time is of the essence. The sooner we send this relief, the more we will be able to help.
The U.S. must remain a beacon of hope and freedom for people who are suffering. Let us continue to stand for those fundamental ideas by supporting the Ukrainian people and their fight against tyranny.
Sam Brownback was U.S. ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom from 2018 to 2021. He previously served as governor of Kansas and as a U.S. senator.
