In this essay for TIME, Elliot Ackerman argues that Ukraine’s ability to win depends on the United States and NATO delivering advanced weapons faster and in greater numbers.
Writing as the war entered its second spring, Ackerman examines battlefield initiative, operational momentum, and the delays that prevented Ukraine from fully exploiting Russian setbacks.
Ukraine, Momentum, and Military Aid
The essay explains why timing matters as much as firepower, arguing that delayed aid can cause battlefield opportunities to disappear before they can be used.
Weapons, Strategy, and the Spring Offensive
Ackerman discusses HIMARS, ATACMS, F-16s, Leopard tanks, Abrams tanks, ammunition, and the logistical support Ukraine needs to seize the initiative.
Winning Before the Moment Passes
At its center, the piece argues that Ukraine’s allies must anticipate what the battlefield requires rather than respond months after the decisive moment has passed.