The Influence of American Tech Oligarchs on the US-Ukraine Strategic Relationship

• In Event: Ukraine's State Resilience: Navigating War, Peace, and Changing International Norms

Abstract

The disproportionate influence of America's oligarchs on public policy has reached a new level with the appointment of tech billionaire Elon Musk as the head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The influence of tech oligarchs, such as Elon Musk on American politics has led to the emergence of a new foreign policy, characterized by new strains of 'isolationism' and 'transactionalism' that will favor Russia in the resolution of the war against Ukraine. The paper argues that Ukraine's leadership should resist mirroring America's transactionalist foreign policy to indulge the American leadership in bringing peace to Ukraine on Russia's terms. Ukraine should not compromise its norms-based foreign policy in the name of a deal with the Trump administration. Instead, it should use its hard-earned commitment to defending a rules-based order to mobilize Europeans for a stronger and faster provision of aid to Ukraine. European nations have the capacity to assist in Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression if they use America's withdrawal of support as a galvanizing, rather than disuniting factor. Ukraine's commitment to international laws and norms will serve as the backbone of Europe's strength against the Russian threat.

Author

• Olena Lennon, U of New Haven