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Populations in democracies can be fickle. Opinions change often and attention spans can be short. But this is part of the to and fro, and open expression of views, that is so essential in democratic systems.
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern about Russian humiliation in defeat.Credit:AP
One quality that is sometimes observed as lacking in democratic societies is patience. We have become used to rapid Amazon deliveries, 24/7 news cycles, and shorter, faster versions of old sports. This is hardly a new phenomenon.
In his book The Vertigo Years, an exploration of the technological and societal changes in the lead up to World War I, author Philipp Blom wrote that “speed and exhilaration, anxiety and vertigo were recurrent themes of the years between 1900 and 1914, during which cities exploded in size and societies were transformed”. But, as shown in the long wars of the 20th century, the populations of democracies also have the capacity for strategic patience in the right circumstances.
The Russo-Ukraine War, which began in the hopes of a rapid and decisive victory by the Russians, has now settled into the ebb and flow that is normal for large-scale international wars of this type. Both sides have suffered massive casualties, and both have made gains and suffered battlefield losses. This will be a long war. Those supporting Ukraine must commit to long-term assistance. But leaders of democratic nations must explain to their citizens why this fight is important, why it will take time, and why we must nurture strategic patience if Ukraine is to successfully throw back this invasion of its territory.
The aftermath of Russian missile strike in Druzhkivka, Ukraine, on Monday.Credit:Getty
Why is this strategic patience required in the nations that support Ukraine?
First, the Ukrainians need time to integrate the massive flow of Western weapon systems that have begun to cross their western borders. This is not as simple as issuing soldiers anti-tank weapons.
Systems such as the American-supplied HIMARS long-range multiple launch rocket system, the M109 self-propelled artillery howitzers provided by Norway, and Western anti-ship missiles all require operator training, digital integration, and complex instruction for those who maintain and repair them. And all of these Western weapons systems use standard NATO ammunition. While this is good in the longer term, it means in the short term that Ukraine must adapt its logistic systems away from Soviet-era munitions to integrate NATO ammunition.
Second, both sides are approaching a level of exhaustion. The Ukrainians will need time to rebuild, retrain and re-strategise the next phase of this war.