NATO prepares to lead aid to Ukraine to protect against unpredictability after US presidential election
The upcoming US presidential election hangs like the sword of Damocles over the future of military support for Ukraine. The topic was a key one at a meeting of NATO defense ministers this week as the alliance braces for a reduction in U.S. support for Ukraine if Donald Trump wins.
CNN reports this.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a closed-door meeting with his NATO counterparts on Thursday, October 17, that he could not predict the future, but knew that there was still bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress.
NATO officials said they were preparing for the U.S. to take a smaller role in aiding Ukraine next year.
“We cannot expect the US to continue to shoulder an inordinate burden [in supporting Ukraine – ed.]. That is why the Secretary General wants NATO to lead on security assistance, not just one ally. Europe needs to step up even more,” said an unnamed Alliance official.
The publication notes that a potential Trump victory would cast doubt on the future of US aid to Ukraine. And, according to some officials, it’s hard to imagine a worse time for this.
“I’m very concerned. Optimistic is not the word I would use to describe the situation [in Ukraine – ed.] right now,” the NATO representative said.
According to him, Russia continues to make small tactical gains on the front in Ukraine, has a significant advantage in artillery, manpower and ammunition. An additional complication is the approach of winter cold.
And in this difficult situation, US President Joe Biden still refuses to lift restrictions on the use of American long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory. The source noted that many NATO officials do not agree with this policy.
“I don't think anyone would argue that there are no legitimate targets in Russia that could be targeted on the battlefield. Ukraine needs to have a range of capabilities that it can use to target those targets,” the NATO representative said.
Recall that Pentagon Secretary Lloyd Austin believes that cheap Ukrainian long-range drones are a more effective weapon for striking Russian territory than expensive Western-made precision missiles. In addition, Ukraine can use them as it sees fit.
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