Mark F. Cancian

The $40 billion aid package for Ukraine just passed by Congress provides vital support to keep the Ukrainian forces fighting—but it is not all for Ukraine, and it is not all for emergencies.

Many experts have characterized Putin's decision to invade Ukraine as irrational and doomed to fail. However, considering what was known before the invasion, Putin's decision was rational, though risky. To avoid future surprises, analysts need to learn from that.

The United States and NATO have ramped up their support to Ukraine by providing major weapon systems. However, the maintenance and training demands to make these systems effective will likely require the deployment of battlefield contractors to Ukraine.

The $800 million military aid package announced on April 21, just five days after the previous $800 million aid package, continues themes seen in previous packages but increases the level of aid to over $100 million per day.

The recently announced $800 million military aid package to Ukraine escalates support. It contains U.S. weapons for the first time, provides direct training to Ukrainian service members, and acknowledges shipment of Soviet-era weapons. It also implies a long war.

The United States has supplied Ukraine with thousands of Javelins, but U.S. inventory is dwindling. Will Javelins inflict enough Russian combat losses to produce a battlefield stalemate before Ukraine runs out of its most effective anti-tank weapons?

Ukraine failed in its initial efforts to establish a legion of foreign volunteers. History tells us that successful foreign volunteer efforts need screening, training, discipline, and organization.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky has begged Europe for 1 percent of its tanks and planes. It is an innovative and heartfelt proposal, but logistical barriers make such an approach unworkable.