A Harris presidency could be a reset for Ukraine

For example, Harris needs to signal her willingness to lift the remaining caveats on the use of Western-supplied long-range weapons against military targets within Russia, as well as those on deploying NATO country trainers to Ukraine.

Up until now, Biden’s hesitancy has allowed Russia to escalate the conflict at limited cost. Harris, for her part, must indicate that she won’t allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to set the terms of war. And to this end, she could propose a new approach where NATO countries willing to do more could do so. For example, she could signal U.S. support for allies shooting down Russian missiles or drones in close vicinity to their territory as acts of self-defense — a move that wouldn’t mean NATO entering the conflict directly, but one that would step away from Biden’s narrow interpretation of NATO’s interests and the alliance’s role in supporting Ukraine.

A new Harris plan could also address a big grievance among Republicans: that Europeans are still doing far too little. And to this end, lifting these most restrictive caveats and showing U.S. support would open the way for more forward-leaning European allies — such as France, the U.K., the Nordics, the Czech Republic, Romania and Poland — to take more calculated risks in support of Ukraine.

We are at a critical moment that’s calling out for a new approach. Ukraine needs to strengthen its position before any possible peace negotiations, while Trump has implausibly promised to end the war in one day. Amid all this, Harris could start defining her own, more realistic strategic bargain — a plan that should demonstrate Ukraine and its European allies can assure the bulk of the forces needed to defend Ukraine, with the U.S. providing a smaller but still indispensable share.

For example, she could state that if Europe steps up and develops a credible defense investment and readiness plan for the next five years to defend Ukraine, the U.S. will support extending an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO.

Some in the Democratic Party will disagree with this approach, arguing now is the time to keep a low profile on Ukraine — this was, after all, the line taken throughout the spring, ahead of the NATO Summit. But that approach not only failed to bring the party any positive impact in the polls, it also allowed Trump to seize the narrative on Ukraine, while giving Putin time to strengthen his position on the battlefield.

As we move closer to peace negotiations, Harris has the chance to strengthen Ukraine’s hand and show that European allies will do the bulk of the heavy lifting. And that wouldn’t just be good for Ukraine, it would be good for her chances of winning the White House too.