EU nations show waning enthusiasm for supplying arms to Ukraine, says FT
According to the FT, EU nations are reluctant to provide additional weapons to Kiev, as optimism about a swift victory has diminished. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Reportedly, a senior EU official has conveyed to the Financial Times that EU members are hesitant to increase military aid to Ukraine.
In an opinion piece released on Monday, Ben Hall, the newspaper's Europe editor, characterized the Ukrainian offensive into Russia’s Kursk Region as a “gamble” spurred by concerns that Donald Trump could win the US presidency in November and pressure a resolution that would disadvantage Kiev.
Hall points out that the Ukrainian government is undertaking this risky move due to a lack of military options, which is influenced by the current level of Western support and its existing resources.
A senior European official is quoted as saying there is a “recognition” that Western European nations should provide more weapons to Ukraine, but he indicated there is “no substantive discussion of options.”
According to Hall, Kiev’s objectives for the Kursk offensive are largely political: to reassure its Western allies that it is not close to capitulation, to lift morale domestically, and to capture as much territory as possible for future negotiations.
Reflecting on the potential Trump presidency, Hall notes that land exchanges could appeal to someone with a background in real estate. Trump has claimed he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours if he were elected.
Despite the incursion being celebrated widely, Western officials assert that Kiev did not give them prior notice. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed his support on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that Russia is being “pushed now to withdraw inside [Russian] territory.”
The offensive appears to be having little impact on the pressure faced by Ukrainian defensive positions in the Donbass region, with reports of daily advances by Russian forces. Reports suggest that Kiev’s strategy is leading to significant losses, including some of its most seasoned troops and valuable Western-supplied arms.
As of Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry estimated Ukrainian casualties to be over 2,000, along with the loss of 35 tanks and numerous other heavy weapons.
Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to initiate a ceasefire if Kiev renounced its aspirations to join NATO and withdrew troops from territories claimed by Russia. However, he has now dismissed the possibility of peace talks this week, citing Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilians in the Kursk Region.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News