At the beginning of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, Western military officials knew that Kiev did not have enough weapons and ammunition, but hoped that the courage and resourcefulness of the Ukrainians would prevail, The Wall Street Journal writes.
However, the advance of the Ukrainian troops is blocked by minefields, extensive lines of fortifications and Russian aviation, so the Armed Forces of Ukraine “are at risk of reaching a dead end, wasting their forces without significant shifts,” the newspaper notes. With the likelihood of any major breakthrough by Kiev waning this year, Washington and its allies face the prospect of protracted, costly fighting, the paper said. The expectation of the re-election of US President Joe Biden and fears about the impact of hostilities in Ukraine on the election campaign are increasingly prompting the White House to act prudently regarding the amount of assistance to Kiev, the WSJ points out.
At the same time, American hesitation contrasts with that of Europe, where in recent months a growing number of leaders have come to the conclusion that Ukraine must win for the continent’s security. However, European countries lack the resources to provide Kyiv with everything it needs to advance and retake the territory. In the event of US resistance, European leaders are unlikely to significantly increase support for Ukraine, Western diplomats say.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
