White House halts military aid to Kyiv, Europe urged to step up
The White House has announced the suspension of military aid to Kyiv. According to the "Financial Times," Ukraine will exhaust American supplies within approximately two to three months of combat.
Kyiv will need to depend on support from European allies, who are also experiencing challenges in arms production.
The suspension of American military aid could affect Ukraine's defence capabilities, particularly its use of Patriot air defence systems. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has stressed that the system is crucial for defending against Russian ballistic missiles. The lack of air defence would compel Ukraine to make difficult decisions about defence priorities.
American support included equipment deliveries and intelligence sharing. A military analyst, Michael Kofman, noted that many aspects of American support are not publicly disclosed, which complicates the assessment of the full impact of the White House's decision.
The situation on the frontline is slightly better
On the frontline, where battles are conducted using various drones, the absence of American support may only become noticeable after several weeks. Although most of the drones used by the Ukrainian military are produced locally, they still rely on a wide range of American equipment that requires continuous maintenance and a steady supply of spare parts.
The Ukrainian armed forces must adjust to new realities by developing their defence capabilities. Serhiy Prytula, head of one of the largest Ukrainian organisations supporting the military, emphasised the need to create the domestic defence industry in collaboration with European partners.
"We’re hugely thankful for all the help the US gave to Ukraine, but we need to take care of ourselves, develop our own defence industry along with our European partners," stressed Prytula.
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