User blog comment:Hippogriff12/The Scarcity of Racists in Skyrim/@comment-5302371-20120728161339/@comment-3472264-20120731031427

@Thedoucheinthenorth True Balgruuf wouldn't supply the Stormcloaks with food or supplies but he would not supply the Empire with them either, before he is forced into the war he simply feels that the Empire is the best side to pick but not really on either side, when Ulfric attacks him he comes out and joins the Empire to protect his city. Balgruuf would also likely allow the Stormcloaks and Imperials to use his land for passage and such because that would be somewhat unavoidable considering that Whiterun sits at the heart of Skyrim and so long as they leave the hold itself out of it there would be no harm in doing so and because Balgruuf is a very reasonable person he would likely allow it to be done.