Survival alone: ​​Can Ukraine withstand Russia without the help of the United States - The Times

The fears, the observer notes, relate to the departure of the US military from Europe, the disintegration of NATO and the closer ideological closeness between the US and Russia. He also emphasizes that it is now a matter of direct concern about whether Ukraine will continue to defend itself without the support of the United States. "Trump is not the person who will allow such disobedience to unpunished," Galeotti said.

The US President thinks about termination of military assistance to Ukraine without declaring any new support package during his reign. At the same time, the White House Head can maintain existing obligations to Ukraine, designed for the next 6 months, but not promise more.

"This will allow him to again raise the issue of US access to Ukrainian minerals - perhaps returning to something closer to his former, more outrageous requirements for the return of $ 500 billion, as well as to prepare a proposal for ceasefire on the principle of" take or go away "," - said the observer. The leaders of Europe have already expressed Zelensky support, but their assurances are unlikely to go beyond supporting posts on social networks, - the author said.

At least 300,000 servicemen and more than 200 billion euros of annual defense costs will be required to ensure US security without US support without the US security, - the journalist states. If the priority is to provide guarantees to Kiev, whether it is possible to do it out of NATO, the author asks. Russian President Vladimir Putin is clearly not afraid of Europe, believing that she has no will and unity to confront the military intimidation.

It is difficult to disagree with this, says Mark Galeotty, when even the countries that demonstrated the will to re -equipment, such as Poland, also made it clear that their own national security has priority. The Army of Europe cannot exhibit 100,000-150,000 soldiers who, according to Zelensky, are necessary to restrain the Russians. At the same time, European countries provide much more financial and military assistance to Ukraine than the United States.

And they could spend even more, but do not have production capacity to easily and quickly turn cash into military potential. Europe produces 2 million artillery shells a year, but this is not enough to meet the needs of war, not to mention the replenishment of reserves of European armies. Ukraine still has reserves, and not least if it reduces the conscript age from 25 to 18 years. However, the loss of US assistance will be a serious blow.

It is not only a lack of new systems and ammunition, such as Patriot missiles, but also spare parts for available systems such as Abrams tanks and Bradley armored personnel carriers. Ukraine can, apparently, will continue to fight, but more and more disadvantageous for itself, says the author. Recall that the White House spokesman Caroline Libitt said the United States would no longer finance war without a real, strong peace.