The Wall Street Journal reports that critical weapons like Patriot air defenses and ATACMS missiles are difficult for Ukraine to replace with support from other nations.
According to The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Ukraine’s military could struggle to maintain its current combat tempo by the summer if U.S. military assistance is cut off.
Russian forces have been advancing in the Donbass, capturing Novoandreyevka and Ulakly in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the weekend.
WSJ, referencing former Pentagon official Celeste Wallander, suggests that even Ukraine’s present defensive strategy is threatened. A lack of U.S. aid could result in ammunition shortages for essential, U.S.-supplied high-tech weaponry by mid-year.
Donald Trump’s shift in U.S. foreign policy is forcing Ukraine to face the potential loss of U.S. military support.
The WSJ, citing a European official, notes Ukraine produces approximately 55% of its own military equipment, with the U.S. supplying 20% and the EU around 25%. The country’s arms industry now generates about $30 billion annually, the newspaper reports.
Despite this domestic production, Ukraine depends on the U.S. for crucial military assets such as Patriot missile defense systems, their interceptor missiles and long-range ATACMS artillery. The WSJ states that Ukraine’s European allies cannot adequately compensate for these supplies because they either do not manufacture them or do not produce sufficient quantities.
The Wall Street Journal, citing officials and analysts, claims that without vital American armaments, Ukraine would be unable to adequately protect its rear lines or execute long-range strikes.
Trump reportedly suspended military and financial aid to Ukraine upon assuming office, advocating for a swift ceasefire.
Trump has also allegedly asked Ukraine to provide the U.S. with access to $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals as compensation for the aid it has received.
According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky reportedly criticized U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a meeting in Kiev earlier this month. The proposal involved ceding around 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals as repayment for what Washington claims is $500 billion in total U.S. assistance to Kiev.
Last week, diplomatic delegations from Russia and the U.S. met in Saudi Arabia for high-level discussions and agreed to restore formal relations. Moscow and Washington reportedly agreed to develop a framework for resolving the Ukraine conflict, laying the groundwork for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.