World War Aid: Interventionist Aid and War in Ukraine

World War Aid offers a novel perspective on the unprecedented aid in the Ukrainian conflict, tracing back to three sets of issues: Ukraine's history, the exceptionality of the Ukrainian case, and the West's provision of weapons as primary aid. It defines a new model of Interventionist Aid, characterized by a willingness to take an active part in the crisis to condition its course and outcome.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

World War Aid provides a unique perspective on the unprecedented aid provided in the Ukrainian conflict, destined to leave an international echo that extends far beyond the individual historical case and the aid sector alone. This book sheds light on the evolving scenario of a conflict that, before the deployment of tanks, had long been fought on the territory of aid. The author makes compelling arguments about aid that can be traced back to three key sets of issues:

Ukraine's history from its independence in 1991 until the war in 2022, which witnessed the evolution of inter-state aid sent to Kyiv. This period anticipated the geo-political dispute over the country's future and was marked by confrontations between donors who would later become the protagonists of the war scenario.

The exceptionality of the Ukrainian case is explored by specifically identifying eight peculiarities of wartime aid:

The response speed of Western Bilateral Donors: Western Bilateral Donors responded swiftly to the Ukrainian crisis, with some countries providing aid within hours or days of the conflict's outbreak.

The leading role and primacy of the latter over the non-governmental sector: Western Bilateral Donors played a dominant role in providing aid to Ukraine, with the non-governmental sector playing a complementary role.

The key influence exercised by the Ukrainian recipient: The Ukrainian recipient had a significant influence on the nature and direction of aid provided, with the government and civil society organizations playing key roles in shaping the aid response.

The quantity and diversification of aid involved: A wide range of aid was provided to Ukraine, including humanitarian aid, military aid, and economic assistance. The aid was also diversified in terms of its sources, with countries from around the world providing assistance.

Russias conversion of aid into hybrid weapons ( Weaponization of Aid): Russia has been accused of converting aid into hybrid weapons, such as artillery and ammunition, which have been used in the conflict.

The West's provision of weapons as primary aid ( Aidization of Weapons): The West provided weapons as primary aid to Ukraine, with some countries providing advanced military equipment such as tanks and aircraft.

The excessive anticipation of post-war planning initiatives: There was an excessive anticipation of post-war planning initiatives, with some donors and international organizations expecting a quick resolution to the conflict.

Sanctions modeled to represent a new form of aid: Sanctions were imposed on Russia as a form of aid, with the aim of imposing economic pressure on Russia and discouraging it from further involvement in the conflict.

Based on these peculiarities, a new model of Interventionist Aid is defined, characterized by a willingness to actively participate in the crisis in which the Donors operate, in order to shape its course and outcome. By prioritizing tactical purposes over humanitarian ones and focusing on military and financial interventions, Interventionist Aid represents an absolute conceptual, political, and historical novelty in inter-state aid.

This book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of wartime aid and the role that different actors, including governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, play in shaping the course of the conflict. It also raises important questions about the ethical and humanitarian implications of providing aid in situations of conflict, and the need for a more nuanced and effective approach to aid delivery.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032465340