What was adopted
The Pentagon released the National Defense Strategy – 2026, which shifts emphasis from global competition with China to defending the territory of the United States and interests in the Western Hemisphere. Politico noted even before publication that the document demonstrates a turning of priorities compared to recent years.
New logic — practical interests instead of global ambitions
The strategy removes the primary focus on China, instead betting on diplomacy with Beijing and on the “practical interests” of the American public. This does not deny the fact of China’s growing military power, but it changes the tools of response — from large-scale strategic plans to pragmatic, localized measures.
“Although Europe remains important, its share of global economic power is shrinking. While we participate and will continue to participate in European affairs, we must — and will give priority to — defending the territory of the United States and deterring China.”
— U.S. National Defense Strategy, 2026
What this means for Ukraine
The translation of this shift into allied policy has several concrete consequences for Ukraine:
- Less attention in the overall diplomatic agenda: if U.S. priorities shift toward the Western Hemisphere, it is important for Ukraine to secure support not only declaratively, but in the form of long-term contracts, supplies, and legally codified guarantees.
- Diplomacy as a tool: the emphasis on dialogue with China and pragmatic interests may mean more channels for negotiation, but will also require Ukraine to present its own security challenges in a clear, economically argued manner.
- Incomplete operational details: the strategy emphasizes protecting key territories in the Western Hemisphere, but does not explain with what forces and mechanisms this should be done. For Europe, this creates room for uncertainty about the allocation of resources and obligations.
Context is also important: in December 2025 Danish intelligence pointed to a change in risk perception, and statements by certain American politicians (for example regarding Greenland or Venezuela) reinforce the impression of a return to regional priorities. At the same time, the document retains attention to threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea, but mentions them less in detail.
Conclusion: what Ukraine should do
This strategic correction does not mean an automatic weakening of support for Ukraine, but it forces proactive action. Allies may adopt a more pragmatic approach to the distribution of forces, so it is important for Ukraine to convert political sympathies into concrete instruments — long-term supplies, legally formalized guarantees, and diversification of partnerships.
Short checklist for Ukrainian diplomacy and defense leadership:
- Speed up the signing of long-term contracts for armaments and logistics.
- Frame support in terms of economic and security benefits for partners.
- Strengthen regional coalitions in Europe and beyond to reduce the risks of dependence on a single capital.
Now it’s up to the partners: whether they will turn declarations into concrete commitments — one of the key questions for Ukraine’s security in 2026.
