Key armaments such as Patriot air defenses and ATACMS cannot simply be replaced by Ukraine’s other allies, the newspaper has said
Without US military aid, Ukrainian forces could lose the ability to maintain their current fighting pace by this summer, The Wall Street Journal wrote on Tuesday.
Moscow’s forces have been pressing their advantage in the Donbass region, liberating the settlements of Novoandreyevka and Ulakly in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic over the weekend.
Even Kiev’s current defensive strategy could be at risk, as a lack of military aid from Washington could leave Ukraine short of ammunition for key high-tech US-supplied armaments by this the middle of this year, WSJ wrote, citing former senior Pentagon official Celeste Wallander.
US President Donald Trump’s pivot of Washington’s foreign policy regarding the ongoing conflict is forcing Kiev to confront the prospect of losing US military support.
Ukraine builds around 55% of its own military hardware, while the US supplies 20% and the EU around 25%, WSJ wrote, citing a European official. The country’s domestic weapons industry now produces around $30 billion in armaments annually, according to the outlet.
Despite this, Ukraine relies on the US for key military supplies such as Patriot air defense systems and interceptor missiles for them, as well as long-range missile artillery such as the ATACMS. Kiev’s European allies cannot effectively replace the supplies, as they either do not produce them, or do not make enough, the newspaper said.
Without the essential US armaments, Kiev would lose the ability to protect its rear line and conduct longer-range strikes, WSJ wrote, citing officials and analysts.
Trump suspended US military and financial aid to Ukraine on his first day in office, and pushed to bring about a quick ceasefire in the conflict.
Trump has also demanded that Kiev compensate Washington for the aid delivered to date by giving the US access to $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky lashed out at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kiev when presented the deal earlier this month, FT wrote on Monday. The deal on the table was for around 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, as compensation for what Washington claims to be $500 billion in total US aid to Kiev, according to the newspaper.
Last week, Russian and US diplomatic delegations met for high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, agreeing to reestablish formal ties. Moscow and Washington agreed to form a framework towards settling the Ukraine conflict, and laid the groundwork for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
