WSJ Forecasts When Kiev's Forces May Falter Without US Support
According to The Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian forces may struggle to maintain their momentum without US military assistance by this summer. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that without aid from the United States, Ukrainian forces risk losing the ability to sustain their current level of combat by the summer.
Over the weekend, Russian troops have gained ground in the Donbass region, taking control of the settlements of Novoandreyevka and Ulakly in Russia's Donetsk People’s Republic.
The newspaper noted that even Ukraine's existing defensive strategies may be jeopardized, as a reduction in military assistance from Washington could leave the country with insufficient ammunition for vital high-tech armaments supplied by the US by mid-year. This information was cited from former senior Pentagon official Celeste Wallander.
The shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict is pushing Ukraine toward the possibility of losing military support from the US.
According to the Journal, Ukraine manufactures about 55% of its own military hardware, with the US contributing 20% and the EU providing around 25%. The nation’s domestic weapons industry is currently valued at approximately $30 billion in annual production, as noted by a European official.
Nonetheless, Ukraine remains dependent on the US for critical military supplies, including Patriot air defense systems, their interceptor missiles, and long-range missile artillery like the ATACMS. The newspaper stated that European allies of Kiev cannot adequately fill this gap due to limited production capabilities or insufficient quantities.
In the absence of essential US armaments, Ukraine would struggle to safeguard its rear and execute longer-range strikes, according to officials and analysts cited by the Journal.
On his first day in office, Trump halted military and financial aid to Ukraine and pushed for a swift ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, he has requested that Kyiv repay the US by granting access to $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals in exchange for the aid provided thus far.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky recently expressed his anger towards US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a meeting in Kiev regarding this arrangement, which entails the transfer of around 50% of Ukraine’s crucial minerals as recompense for what Washington claims is $500 billion in total aid to Ukraine.
In a separate development last week, Russian and US diplomatic teams held high-level discussions in Saudi Arabia, agreeing to restore formal diplomatic relations. Both nations established a framework for addressing the Ukraine conflict and prepared for a potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Over the weekend, Russian troops have gained ground in the Donbass region, taking control of the settlements of Novoandreyevka and Ulakly in Russia's Donetsk People’s Republic.
The newspaper noted that even Ukraine's existing defensive strategies may be jeopardized, as a reduction in military assistance from Washington could leave the country with insufficient ammunition for vital high-tech armaments supplied by the US by mid-year. This information was cited from former senior Pentagon official Celeste Wallander.
The shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict is pushing Ukraine toward the possibility of losing military support from the US.
According to the Journal, Ukraine manufactures about 55% of its own military hardware, with the US contributing 20% and the EU providing around 25%. The nation’s domestic weapons industry is currently valued at approximately $30 billion in annual production, as noted by a European official.
Nonetheless, Ukraine remains dependent on the US for critical military supplies, including Patriot air defense systems, their interceptor missiles, and long-range missile artillery like the ATACMS. The newspaper stated that European allies of Kiev cannot adequately fill this gap due to limited production capabilities or insufficient quantities.
In the absence of essential US armaments, Ukraine would struggle to safeguard its rear and execute longer-range strikes, according to officials and analysts cited by the Journal.
On his first day in office, Trump halted military and financial aid to Ukraine and pushed for a swift ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, he has requested that Kyiv repay the US by granting access to $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals in exchange for the aid provided thus far.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky recently expressed his anger towards US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a meeting in Kiev regarding this arrangement, which entails the transfer of around 50% of Ukraine’s crucial minerals as recompense for what Washington claims is $500 billion in total aid to Ukraine.
In a separate development last week, Russian and US diplomatic teams held high-level discussions in Saudi Arabia, agreeing to restore formal diplomatic relations. Both nations established a framework for addressing the Ukraine conflict and prepared for a potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
