Time running out for Ukraine
◆ UK, US and European elections in 2024 leave Kyiv nervous of what a drop in financial support would mean on frontline amid heavy recent losses
Ukrainians mark two years at war, there is little optimism for an imminent positive resolution for Kyiv.
Last week, Russia seized the city of Adviika, a gateway to the Russian-seized Donetsk regional capital in the east – its most significant win since Bakhmut fell in May last year.
As the news came in, Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian foreign minister, issued a stark warning to the Munich Security Council.
“The era of peace in Europe is over,” he told delegates. “And every time Ukrainian soldiers withdraw from a Ukrainian town because of the lack of ammunition, think of it not only in terms of democracy and defending the worldbased order, but also in terms of Russian soldiers getting a few kilometres closer to your towns.”
The warning spoke to European governments feeling pressure over the supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky’s government is nervous, not just because of its most recent battlefield losses, but because of what could happen in the coming months.
The looming possibility of a second term in the White House for Donald Trump could see financial support for Ukraine slashed significantly. Incumbent president Joe Biden has already faced a lengthy political wrangle over the latest US aid package. He last weekend assured Mr Zelensky he was confident the $60 billion [£47bn] would be passed, warning the fall of Adviika was due to the delay in US funds. However, it still needs to pass the final hurdle in the House of Representatives before the funding reaches Ukraine.
Britain is also set to hold a general election this year, with a likely loss for the Conservaas