“‘We are in a new epoch of war between democratic countries & authoritarian ones. We are in the line of fire from totalitarian states.’ Western support for Ukraine sent a powerful signal that ‘we are not alone,’ he noted: ‘It inhibits bad Russian behavior’”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/08/were-here-to-stop-russia-taking-the-black-sea-with-the-ukrainian-navy-as-they-battle-for-supremacy-on-the-waves