The People's Liberation Army and the PLA Navy conduct a live-fire drill in Zhangzhou, China, on August 24, 2022. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Policymakers are right to convey a sense of urgency toward China, but ending support for Ukraine’s defense would not lead to a swift pivot to the Pacific or expedite weapons deliveries to Taiwan.

In a new policy memo, Senior Fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs lists five ways the US can continue arming Ukraine while bolstering Taiwan’s defense.

Key Insights

1. The China and Russia threats are connected.

China and Russia have chosen to collaborate to undermine the US and its allies and interests. If Russia were to prevail in Ukraine, China would have greater leverage over Europe and would be the biggest benefactor of Russia’s success.

2. The US should consider the perspectives of its allies.

The US is the most powerful nation supporting Ukraine’s defense, but it is neither alone nor the only source of support. Indo-Pacific allies have also aided Kyiv and vocally linked enabling a Ukrainian victory with ensuring Indo-Pacific security. Suddenly ending US support to Ukraine would also severely damage America’s alliance relationships in both Europe and Asia.

3. Not a single weapon the United States has delivered to Ukraine was scheduled or intended to go to Taiwan.

Taiwan has been supported through Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Meanwhile, America is arming Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority, which allows us to send weapons already in US stockpiles, and through Ukraine Security Assistance funding and Foreign Military Funding. The entirety of the FMS backlog existed before a shot was fired in Ukraine. Instead of ending deliveries to Ukraine, the US should seek to rebuild its defense industrial base so that it can produce the necessary weapons to meet the demand. 

Quotes may be edited for clarity and length. 

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