European leaders are growing increasingly anxious as Donald Trump maintains a strong lead in US presidential polls, fearing his potential return could drastically alter Washington's military support for Ukraine.
According to senior officials, Trump's allies have already signalled plans to review America's substantial weapons shipments to Kyiv if he wins November's election. This comes at a critical juncture in Ukraine's defensive war against Russia's invasion.
Strategic Concerns Mount
Defence analysts warn that any reduction in US arms deliveries would force European nations to fill the gap - a challenge many are ill-prepared to meet. "The continental defence industry simply lacks the capacity to compensate for American withdrawal," said one NATO diplomat speaking anonymously.
Historical Context
Trump has repeatedly criticised the scale of US military assistance to Ukraine, calling for European nations to take greater responsibility. During his previous presidency, he frequently questioned NATO's collective defence principles.
The potential policy shift arrives as Ukraine struggles to hold defensive positions against renewed Russian offensives. Military experts suggest that without consistent Western arms supplies, Kyiv's position could become increasingly precarious.
European Responses
Several EU capitals have begun contingency planning:
- Germany accelerating artillery shell production
- France proposing new EU defence bonds
- Poland increasing its military budget
However, officials concede these measures would take months, if not years, to offset potential US disengagement.
As the election approaches, Ukraine finds itself caught in the crossfire of American domestic politics, with its future security potentially hinging on voters thousands of miles away.
