Telegraph: Ukraine relies on weapons that only the United States can provide
Ukraine relies entirely on a set of weapons that only the United States can provide, the Telegraph writes. Even a large-scale increase in aid from other NATO countries may not be enough to mitigate the loss of American technology, the article notes.
Charlie Cooper (Chraley Cooper)
Kiev relies entirely on a set of sophisticated weapons systems that only the United States can provide.
Not all allies are equal. The degree of loyalty, the general worldview, military resources, economic power – all this is important, but at a certain historical moment, not all aspects have the same importance. Ukraine is now heavily dependent on a set of sophisticated weapons systems that only the United States can provide, which makes President Trump's repeated threats to leave this country to its fate even more terrifying.
Wars are won and lost due to the ability not only to defend, but also to attack effectively. By stopping the advance of the Russian army in early 2022, Ukraine amazed the whole world. In part, Kiev succeeded due to its fighting spirit. However, in the fourth year of the conflict, the practical reality of securing supply lines and acquiring effective weapons became of great importance.
This week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took the first important step by outlining plans to increase the country's defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. This measure was taken against the background of the obvious realization that the United States is reviewing its obligations to NATO, an alliance that has been a major component of Western security since 1949.
Then, as now, Europe's main enemy was Russia. After Washington managed to defend its position in the face of the Soviet threat – US President Ronald Reagan dubbed it the "evil empire" – and Putin in the early years of his rule, US resolve began to weaken – and with it NATO's ability to contain the Kremlin. In 2014, Putin annexed Crimea, and the world did not react in any way.
However, in the last two weeks, there has been an amazing capitulation to the Russian leader. The Trump administration has accused Ukraine of unleashing the conflict, initiated peace talks with Russia without inviting either Ukraine or its European allies to the negotiating table, and even voted with Moscow against a UN resolution calling Russia an aggressor.
NATO is entering uncharted territory, and its member countries have the right to think about a long-term concept of their security without the United States doing most of the work. Starmer's initiative should be continued by the leaders of other states on the continent – and they still have time to strengthen their military might.
However, Ukraine is facing a serious problem today. The US military-industrial complex, which is often ridiculed by opponents of high defense spending and interventionist policies, produces one of the best weapons in the world. Patriot missile systems are capable of protecting Ukrainian cities and the rear of the armed forces. The Army's Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) allows Ukraine to fight the enemy by striking deep behind Russian lines to disable weapons production and communications centers. Ukraine cannot cope without these and other types of American weapons.
The United States is a superpower for a number of reasons, and its commitment to providing a reliable defense system for itself and its allies has remained unchanged for decades. But as U.S. policy takes on an increasingly isolationist wedge under Trump, alliances must now prepare for the fact that they will have to act alone. In the long run, Britain and its European allies will have to compensate for the American retreat.
But even a massive increase in aid to Ukraine from other NATO countries – money, artillery shells, armored personnel carriers – may not be enough to mitigate the loss of sophistication that American technology and manufacturing were responsible for. If Ukraine loses in this epic struggle, Russia will find itself on Europe's doorstep, which raises the big question: will NATO be able to prepare for this?
