Ukraine in ‘big trouble this summer’ as Trump puts Putin on verge of victory | World | News
Donald Trump has been warned that he is putting Vladimir Putin on the path to victory as Ukraine faces “big trouble in the summer”.
The US president announced a pause on military aid to Ukraine on Monday, sparking fears that Russia could take the upperhand the in war as Ukraine heavily relies on foreign assistance.
Mark Stone, US correspondent for Sky News, said Joe Biden “tried to Trump-proof Ukraine” and his work is now being undone within the new president’s first 100 days.
He told the Trump 100 podcast: “Without America, Ukraine is in trouble. Not immediately, but in time. The key difference [to the war] is what Europe and what the Americans are able to supply.”
Stone pinpointed US air defence capabilities as a particularly important asset to Ukraine, saying, “If that tap is turned off… then in time that will have a massive impact“.
He added: “It’s not going to be overnight. President Biden tried to Trump-proof Ukraine for precisely this scenario by providing them with as much weaponry upfront to keep them going for a while.
“The summer is when the fighting traditionally has been at its most intense and that is the point at which if this pause turns into something more permanent.
“I don’t think it will, because I think it might pull Zelensky to do what Trump wants him to do – but if it was to last then by the summertime the Ukrainians could be in big trouble.”
An anonymous White House official said the US’ pause on military aid to Ukraine with continue until Ukraine shows a commitment to peace negotiations with Russia, as per The Associated Press.
Since the full-scale invasion over thee years ago, the US government has sent roughly £67 billion to Ukraine from Congress and Department of Defence (DoD) budgets.
The money primarily goes into the manufacture of weapons then shipped to Ukraine, including air defence systems, missiles, helicopters, tanks, coastal defence systems and body armour.
Other funding is also allocated to replenish US weapons and ammunitions stocks that were depleted to help Ukraine.
