**Europe Rushes to Keep Ukraine Armed as US Steps Back**
In a move that’s been described as “buy American,” European leaders are scrambling to keep Ukraine armed with advanced weapons amid signs that President Donald Trump is scaling back direct US involvement in the war. This development comes after Bloomberg reported that Russia is preparing for a new summer offensive, and peace talks with Trump have stalled.
**US Military Aid: A Vital Lifeline**
For years, US military aid has been crucial to Ukraine’s defense, supplying advanced weapons like HIMARS and Patriot systems that Europe can’t match. Experts warn that without continued US support, Ukraine’s ability to hold off Russian forces would be significantly weakened. The urgency is growing as Trump signals his intent to withdraw, saying, “This is a European situation. It should have remained a European situation.”
**Europe Seeks Alternatives**
However, experts say Europe lacks the capacity to make up for the shortfall in arms deliveries. According to Bloomberg, Europe has neither the stocks of arms nor the capacity to make them in large enough volume. This makes US weapons – whether donated or sold – indispensable. As a result, European leaders are looking for alternatives, with some seeking to purchase American-made weapons and send them to Ukraine themselves.
**Time is Running Out**
Weapons transfers approved under former President Joe Biden are expected to run out by summer, creating a critical supply gap. Andrew Weiss of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said that if the US exits while still allowing arms sales and intelligence sharing, it would be “certainly suboptimal” but not the total worst case scenario. Samuel Charap from RAND noted that Ukraine’s increasing use of domestically produced drones could help offset the loss of direct US funding.
**EU Plans New Sanctions on Russia**
As part of its response to the growing crisis, the European Union is preparing additional sanctions targeting Russia. Measures under consideration include cutting over 20 Russian banks from the SWIFT payments system, lowering the oil price cap, and potentially banning Nord Stream pipelines. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested 10 Patriot air defense batteries from the US, but is still awaiting a response.
**High Stakes for Trump and the West**
The situation is high-stakes for both Trump and the West. Charles Kupchan of the Council on Foreign Relations warned that providing Ukraine with US-made weapons – whether purchased or donated – is essential to convincing Putin to end the war. He also cautioned that Trump could face political consequences if Ukraine falls, saying, “Ukraine becomes Trump’s Afghanistan, if not worse.” The European “buy American” strategy may offer a middle ground – supporting Ukraine’s defense while allowing Trump to reduce visible US involvement.
**Read More**
For more on this story and its implications for Europe and the West, read the full article at euromaidanpress.com.
