Ukraine harshly criticized Europe
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. IT photo
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused the EU of not knowing how to wage war because it spent “too much time considering” increasing weapons production.
“Unfortunately, our friends spent too much time pondering how and when to increase the production of weapons and ammunition,” Mr. Kuleba told the Kyiv Independent.
His warning came when the US exhausted its military aid to Ukraine, with the final funding package worth $250 million recently announced. This is the last round of aid that Washington can send to support Ukraine against Russia without congressional approval.
Mr. Kuleba’s statement marked Kiev’s strongest criticism yet of Europe’s inability to open new production lines to meet the challenges of supplying Ukraine amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. almost 2 years.
Weapons supplies have begun to gradually decrease in recent months as stockpiles of Western countries that are Ukraine’s allies have begun to run out.
Ukraine and NATO have repeatedly warned that ammunition and weapons production needs to be significantly ramped up to match Russia’s military-industrial complex, which has been at war since President Putin launched a military campaign in the neighboring country in February 2022.
The European Union has now failed in its efforts to increase production of 155mm artillery shells to deliver one million rounds to Ukraine by March next year and Hungary has vetoed a proposed $55 billion aid package from the bloc. for Kiev earlier this month.
Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2024: Will last but not indefinitely
Ukrainian Marine Corps. IT photo
BBC News quoted analyst Barbara Zanchetta, Department of War Studies at King’s College London, commenting that, in 2024, the prospect of ending the war in Ukraine remains bleak. The situation on the battlefield is also very unstable. Recently, Ukraine’s offensive appeared to have stopped for the winter. But Russia also failed to achieve any breakthrough.
More than ever, the outcome of the war will depend on political decisions made far from the center of the conflict – in Washington and Brussels. The impressive Western solidarity regarding support for Ukraine demonstrated in 2022 and lasting throughout 2023, is starting to waver.
The US defense aid package proposed by President Joe Biden’s administration for Ukraine next year has been blocked by Republicans. And the future of EU economic aid for Ukraine depends on the stance of Hungary – the country that vetoed a $55 billion aid package for Kiev.
Hesitancy in Western capitals has raised hopes in Moscow, with Russia signaling it is ready to fight a long battle in Ukraine. For the West and therefore for Ukraine, 2024 will be more difficult.
Although it is possible that the war will last until 2024, it cannot last indefinitely, Mr. Zanchetta emphasized. The only foreseeable outcome would be a negotiated settlement, although for now both warring sides continue to refuse.
