As of: February 10, 2024, 4:33 p.m
By: Yekaterina Jalunina
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Press
Split
Due to domestic political disputes, US military aid to Ukraine is stalling.
But Europe cannot compensate for the bottleneck - which is fatal.
Kiev/Washington – A bitter setback for Ukraine in the fight against Russia: Due to delayed US military aid, the country at war is heading for a glaring shortage of ammunition.
The Financial Times reported this on Saturday (February 10).
Because the European Union (EU) cannot compensate for the bottleneck.
The deadline for the promised delivery of supplies will most likely be missed, it said.
The result: Ukraine could face a “complete collapse”.
Is the situation really that bad?
Ukraine War: Critical Shortage of Military Equipment
Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova has expressed concerns about the “critical shortage” of military equipment, particularly missiles and interceptors.
Markarova emphasized the urgency of support for Ukraine.
“We still have enough people who want to fight – for us there is no other choice, we are defending our homeland,” said the diplomat in a
Bloomberg
interview.
“But we are running out of equipment, especially missiles and interceptors,” she added.
Previously, at a meeting in Brussels, the European defense ministers officially withdrew their promise, made with great pomp in March 2023, to deliver one million artillery shells to Ukraine within a year.
From the very beginning, however, there were doubts as to whether the Europeans would be able to do this.
Now it is clear: the deadline will actually not be met.
EU meeting in Brussels: delays in military aid to Ukraine
The meeting of European defense ministers in Brussels did not produce any positive developments for the war in Ukraine: As the
Financial Times
reported, European politicians admitted that their promise would not be kept.
Instead of March 2024, the deadline for the delivery of one million shells will now be extended to the end of the year.
This was confirmed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
He also emphasized that European states are planning to spend a total of at least 21 billion euros this year to provide military support to Ukraine.
At the beginning of February 2024, the Ukrainian army complained about a significant shortage of ammunition for its artillery.
(Symbolic photo) © IMAGO / Funke Photo Services
Military aid: Ukrainian defense minister warns of weapons shortage
But what does that mean for Ukraine now?
In a statement, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed concern about weapons supplies.
He highlighted the shortage of artillery shells and the challenges of keeping up with Russia's average daily shell consumption.
Ukrainian forces have already warned of rationing air defense equipment and ammunition given the existing threats from drone and missile attacks.
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US Deputy Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander also pointed out that the equipment needed to fight against Russia is missing.
She emphasized that Kiev currently does not have sufficient stocks and ammunition to defend itself against the Russian threat.
Financial bottlenecks: Biden calls for more money for military aid in the Ukraine war
US President Joe Biden wants to assure Ukraine quick financial aid.
© Evan Vucci/AP/dpa
U.S. support for Ukraine has declined as the Biden administration faces acute security challenges in other regions, particularly in the Middle East following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.
Given the financial constraints, President Joe Biden has asked Congress for more than $100 billion, including more than $60 billion for Ukraine.
However, there is currently disagreement in Congress about this package, as the Republicans probably want to put a few obstacles in the way of the US President before the upcoming US election.
The Grand Old Party is being spurred on by Biden's challenger: Donald Trump.
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