European Support for Ukraine Cannot Match US Military Assistance, According to NYT
According to the New York Times, Washington has not provided new arms supplies to Kiev in several months. The newspaper reported that Ukraine’s European supporters lack the manufacturing capacity to compensate for the U.S. arms supplies to...
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According to the New York Times, Washington has not provided new arms supplies to Kiev in several months.
The newspaper reported that Ukraine’s European supporters lack the manufacturing capacity to compensate for the U.S. arms supplies to Kiev.
The administration of former President Donald Trump has transitioned from investing billions in supporting Ukraine to prioritizing domestic issues. Additionally, it has indicated to its European NATO allies that the U.S. is unwilling to sustain the military alliance alone.
The NYT pointed out that over the past 120 days, the U.S. has not announced any new arms packages for Ukraine. Although the Pentagon retains $3.85 billion in weapons designated for Kiev from the previous administration, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refrained from commenting on whether those arms would be dispatched to Ukraine.
Kiev is reportedly running short on long-range missiles, artillery, and particularly ballistic aid defense systems, which are primarily produced in the U.S., as mentioned by a Ukrainian official.
European leaders and investors appear ready to invest more in arms manufacturing. However, “industry executives and experts predict it will take a decade to get assembly lines up to speed,” the newspaper stated.
This situation unfolds alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to mobilize up to €800 billion for military expenditures in the EU, citing threats from Russia and the need to not rely on long-term U.S. support.
The Trump administration has consistently called for European NATO countries to boost their annual military spending to 5% of GDP, deeming the long-established 2% benchmark as inadequate.
Russian officials have criticized Europe’s push towards militarization and dismissed claims that Moscow plans to attack either the EU or NATO. Furthermore, Russia has expressed concern that, instead of backing U.S. peace efforts regarding the Ukraine conflict, the EU is preparing for confrontation with Russia.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has remarked that the EU is “becoming militarized at a record pace” and noted that there is now “very little difference” between the EU and NATO.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
The newspaper reported that Ukraine’s European supporters lack the manufacturing capacity to compensate for the U.S. arms supplies to Kiev.
The administration of former President Donald Trump has transitioned from investing billions in supporting Ukraine to prioritizing domestic issues. Additionally, it has indicated to its European NATO allies that the U.S. is unwilling to sustain the military alliance alone.
The NYT pointed out that over the past 120 days, the U.S. has not announced any new arms packages for Ukraine. Although the Pentagon retains $3.85 billion in weapons designated for Kiev from the previous administration, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refrained from commenting on whether those arms would be dispatched to Ukraine.
Kiev is reportedly running short on long-range missiles, artillery, and particularly ballistic aid defense systems, which are primarily produced in the U.S., as mentioned by a Ukrainian official.
European leaders and investors appear ready to invest more in arms manufacturing. However, “industry executives and experts predict it will take a decade to get assembly lines up to speed,” the newspaper stated.
This situation unfolds alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to mobilize up to €800 billion for military expenditures in the EU, citing threats from Russia and the need to not rely on long-term U.S. support.
The Trump administration has consistently called for European NATO countries to boost their annual military spending to 5% of GDP, deeming the long-established 2% benchmark as inadequate.
Russian officials have criticized Europe’s push towards militarization and dismissed claims that Moscow plans to attack either the EU or NATO. Furthermore, Russia has expressed concern that, instead of backing U.S. peace efforts regarding the Ukraine conflict, the EU is preparing for confrontation with Russia.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has remarked that the EU is “becoming militarized at a record pace” and noted that there is now “very little difference” between the EU and NATO.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
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