How Soon Could Ukraine’s Forces ‘Start to Buckle’ Without U.S. Weapons?

Russia-Ukraine War

It could be as little as four months, say analysts, as Europe scrambles to plug the hole in support left by President Trump’s suspension of military aid.

The United States has sent

$67 billion of military aid to Ukraine.

Europe has sent

$65 billion to Ukraine.

Other countries

have sent $4 billion.

Canada

Netherlands

Sweden

Germany

France

Poland

United States

United Kingdom

Finland

Italy

Denmark

Belgium

The United States has sent

$67 billion of military aid to Ukraine.

United States

Europe has sent

$65 billion to Ukraine.

Netherlands

Sweden

Germany

France

Poland

United Kingdom

Finland

Italy

Denmark

Belgium

Other countries

have sent $4 billion.

Canada

The United States has sent

$67 billion of military aid to Ukraine.

Europe has sent

$65 billion to Ukraine.

Other countries

have sent $4 billion.

Canada

Netherlands

Sweden

Germany

France

Poland

United States

United Kingdom

Finland

Italy

Denmark

Belgium

Source: Kiel Institute for the World Economy

Lara Jakes writes about weapons and military aid for Ukraine and other conflicts.

Without billions of dollars in American-made weapons, it may be only a matter of time before Ukraine’s forces falter against Russia.

How much time, however, depends on how quickly Europe and Ukraine can make up for the artillery, missiles, air-defense systems and other arms that Trump administration officials said on Monday were being put on hold.

The United States had committed to delivering as much as $11 billion in weapons and equipment to Ukraine this year. Some of it was from Pentagon stockpiles, while some was ordered through new defense contracts, according to a new analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. A former senior U.S. defense official on Tuesday said the actual figure was likely closer to $9 billion.

Despite Europe’s pledges of unwavering support for Ukraine, which have only intensified since the Trump administration began pulling back, it would be nearly impossible for it to fill the weapons gap quickly. European defense industries have ramped up, but only in fits and starts. And individual countries need to maintain their own weapons stockpiles.

U.S.

$67 billion

Until now, the U.S. and Europe have mostly

moved in lockstep to support Ukraine’s forces.

Europe

$65 billion

$60

billion

40

Republicans in Congress stalled aid to Ukraine for several months before resuming it.

20

Feb.

2022

July

Jan.

2023

July

Jan.

2024

July

Dec.

U.S.

$67 billion

Until now, the U.S. and Europe have mostly

moved in lockstep to support Ukraine’s forces.

Europe

$65 billion

$60

billion

40

Republicans in Congress stalled aid to Ukraine for several months before resuming it.

20

Feb.

2022

July

Jan.

2023

July

Jan.

2024

July

Dec.

Until now, the U.S. and Europe have mostly moved in lockstep to support Ukraine’s forces.

U.S.

$67 billion

Europe

$65 billion

$60

billion

40

Republicans in Congress stalled aid to Ukraine for several months before resuming it.

20

Feb.

2022

July

Jan.

2023

July

Jan.

2024

July

Dec.

Source: Kiel Institute for the World Economy

“Europe can’t possibly replace American aid,” the former deputy of Ukraine’s military general staff, Lt. Gen. Ihor Romanenko, said last month.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  your Times account, or  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Want all of The Times? .