In a move that has stunned Europe, Donald Trump has halted all military aid to Ukraine amid the nation’s struggle against an unlawful invasion. This drastic step raises critical questions about Ukraine’s future, placing immense pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to ink a minerals agreement with the United States, despite the absence of definitive security guarantees.
Although the cessation of US support marks a profound blow for Ukraine, experts believe that its immediate effects will be cushioned by preceding actions from ex-President Joe Biden who authorised substantial aid prior to his departure from office.
This foresight could permit Ukraine to maintain its resistance until at least the summer, after which the situation might grow dire without renewed military assistance.
Commenting on the abrupt suspension of US aid, Sky’s Mark Stone elaborated on the Trump 100 podcast, emphasising that “President Biden tried to ‘Trump proof’ Ukraine for precisely this scenario, by providing them with as much weaponry upfront to keep them going for a while. That, experts say, could allow them to fight until midway through the year, the summer.”
Traditionally, the summer months have seen the most intense fighting, and if the current pause were to become more permanent, it could spell significant trouble for Ukraine by the summer.
However, this is not the first time concerns about the impact of losing military aid have been raised.
Since Donald Trump announced his bid to return to the White House, there have been preparations for a potential end to US military aid to Ukraine.
Experts and commentators have been assessing how long Ukraine could sustain itself without any aid, reports the Irish Star.
Last year, Ukrainian journalist Victoria Maximova predicted that Ukraine could last around a year without American aid.
In an interview with Cars and Conflict, she stated, “About one year. It’s realistically one year.”
She added, “But yes, we will lose some territories, but it will be not very fast. But now we have to make our own weapons too, because it’s not a solution to only ask the United Kingdom or only ask the USA to support us.”
In response to Trump’s decision to cut off military aid to Ukraine, European countries and leaders have reaffirmed their support for the nation as it continues to resist Russia’s illegal invasion.
