Ukraine’s battlefield resilience could collapse within six months without continued U.S. military aid, top military officials have warned, as President Donald Trump announced a pause on all U.S. military supplies to the war-torn nation.
A senior U.S. Defence Department official confirmed that military aid packages not yet delivered—including weapons currently in transit or stockpiled in Poland—will be suspended pending further review.
The decision has raised serious concerns about Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russian advances, particularly as Moscow ramps up attacks on strategic positions in Kherson, Odesa, and Sumy.
‘We Will Last Six Months Without U.S. Aid’
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Lieutenant-General Ihor Romanenko, former deputy chief of Ukraine’s General Staff, warned: He expressed that Europe alone will not fill the gap left by the U.S., a sentiment echoed by Nikolai Mitrokhin, a researcher at the University of Bremen, who estimated that Ukraine’s current U.S. military supplies could only last until mid-summer or early autumn if rationed carefully.
As Ukraine faces intensified Russian assaults, Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that Moscow has ordered troops to “force the river at any cost,” even though Russian intelligence acknowledges the mission is suicidal.
Documents recovered from fallen Russian soldiers confirm that casualties include both new recruits and seasoned veterans who have been fighting for over two years.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are stepping up their offensive, targeting:
- Kherson’s Lvove and Zmiivka villages,
- Strategic marshy islands at the mouth of the Dnipro River,
- Key road and rail bridges east of Kherson city.
The attacks are reportedly part of Moscow’s efforts to seize new territory ahead of potential peace negotiations between Russia and the U.S., talks that have largely sidelined Ukraine.
Zelensky Under Pressure as Trump Signals a Hardline Approach
Trump, speaking at the White House on Monday, hinted that Zelensky’s political future was uncertain if he did not agree to a peace deal with Russia.
“If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long. That person will not be listened to very long.”
Trump’s National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, reinforced this stance in an interview with FOX News, stating:
“The American people’s patience is not unlimited, their wallets are not unlimited, and our stockpiles and munitions are not unlimited. The time to talk is now.”
With U.S. support no longer guaranteed, Zelensky now faces increasing pressure to negotiate with Moscow, despite previously stating that a peace deal with Russia remains “very, very far away.”
European Allies Scramble to Respond
In response to the U.S. aid suspension, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a “Rearm Europe” plan, which could unlock €800 billion (£661.59 billion) in additional defense spending.
The proposal, sent to national governments on Tuesday, includes:
- €150 billion in loans for EU countries to boost military spending.
- Increased joint defense procurement for arms and ammunition.
- Accelerated production of weapons and military technology to assist Ukraine.
Von der Leyen stated:
“Europe is ready to massively boost its defense spending—not just to respond to Ukraine’s urgent needs, but also to take more responsibility for our own security.”
Despite this bold initiative, questions remain over whether Europe can effectively replace the U.S. as Ukraine’s primary military supplier.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Infrastructure in Retaliation
In retaliation for Russian offensives, Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes, targeting critical Russian infrastructure:
. Syzran Oil Refinery – Major explosions led to a giant inferno.
. Kuibyshev-Lysychansk Oil Pipeline – Supplies Novorossiysk military and civilian port on the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, Russian drone attacks on Ukraine have devastated civilian areas, leaving:
- A children’s hospital in Sumy damaged and forced to operate on backup generators.
- Two nursery schools and residential buildings in Odesa destroyed, injuring four people.
What Next? Ukraine at a Crossroads
With Trump’s administration freezing military aid, the coming months will be critical for Ukraine.
Will Zelensky bow to international pressure and engage in peace talks with Russia?
Can Europe step up and replace the U.S. as Ukraine’s primary military supplier?
Will Ukraine’s counteroffensive continue without American backing?
For now, Ukraine’s survival on the battlefield hangs in the balance as global leaders determine the next move in the ongoing war.
