The US does have pretty solid goals going forward, as the perpetuating factor behind all American policy is the maintenance and expansion of the Liberal Order we established post-WWII.

As threats and challenged evolve, so to do the means in which we need to address them. So I agree with your statement that "these can't be set in stone." Not indefinitely anyways. The difference with the US though is that every year we develop our policy goals and we publish a version of it for the government to use open-source and for the people to be aware of. There are multiple, but the "big picture" one is the National Security Strategy.

So yes, there are clear plans for the US; much more clear than Ukraine.

Funny enough, the link you have below is what I read after I made my initial reply to you. I think Zelenskyy's statements are extremely broad and very short-term oriented; this isn't necessarily bad, but it does sort of give credence to my original point - that Ukraine is lacking some long-term guidance. That certainly is a point of concern for the US and the West, and while Ukraine is seeking EU and NATO membership, it doesn't address any of the glaring issue at hand; it seems to be more of a "statemen of solidarity" with Ukraine.

What do you think?