Strategia USA przed wojną na Ukrainie: pomiędzy odstraszaniem a obawą przed eskalacją

US strategy before the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine was complex and difficultto clearly assess. In the tense international situation in which they found themselves afterAfghanistan withdrawal and Trump presidency, United States tried to overcome new challenge related to Russia’s aggressive goals against Ukraine. This paper conducts a detailed analysis of the US strategy towards the Ukrainian crisis in the lead-up to the Russian invasion, with the aim of evaluating its effectiveness.US approach focused on two separate goals: attempt to deter Russia from attack, and care for containment of the conflict in Ukraine and lack of its further escalation. Strategy prepared and implemented by Biden administration was subordinated to the hard task of balancing these two goals.