A top general says diminishing foreign military aid is already having an impact on the battlefield.

Ukraine has warned it is already being forced to downsize some military operations because of a drop-off in foreign aid.

Top general Oleksandr Tarnavskyi said troops faced ammunition shortages along the “entire front line”, creating a “big problem” for Kyiv.

It comes as billions of dollars of US and EU aid have been held up amid political wrangles.

Ukraine said it hoped to boost its own ammunition industry with western help.

But it relies heavily on western supplies, particularly on deliveries of long-range missiles and air defence systems, to fight occupying Russian forces.

      • @Why9@lemmy.worldEnglish
        47•1 year ago

        The US is the world’s armoury. Sure, there are other nations that could help, but everyone knows it’s the US that Kyiv is hoping for

        • @Kbobabob@lemmy.worldEnglish
          19•1 year ago

          It’s actually split almost 50/50 as far as money spent between the US and EU. But, yeah… it is the US weapons they want.

      • @afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.worldEnglish
        20•1 year ago

        Right but people kinda expect the guy with the most stuff to do the most in a situation like this. Decades of US arming Europe and when it comes time to do something not much is happening. Sitting on the sidelines while a population is getting attacked with the means to stop it.

        • @galloog1@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0•1 year ago

          Perhaps now folks can see why we were judging European nations so hard for failing to keep up with their NATO obligations. It’s a lot more expensive in the end and less effective to be trying to stand up production now.

          It’s the worst type of I told you so because it involves something that really needs to happen for everyone. I just hope that production picks up and Israel cools down for the spring.

          We need sustained and modern shell production moving into the future, not only to replenish current stocks and supply Ukraine now, but to ensure scalable production in future conflicts.

          • @afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2•1 year ago

            Yeah that isn’t the reason why. People screaming about NATO obligations have done a lot of work in weakening it since they are backed by Russia.

      • @CADmonkey@lemmy.worldEnglish
        -2•1 year ago

        This. Stop begging the US for money and guns with one side of your mouths while telling us how terrible we are for everything with the other. We are facing some pretty significant issues of our own, and I know that when shit gets bad here, there won’t be a single country anywhere that will help us.

        • @el_abuelo@lemmy.mlEnglish
          17•1 year ago

          You think the US has been sending weapons and money to Ukraine for the last 2yrs out of the kindness of its heart? Fuck no. The US has benefited immensely from the status quo and stands to lose a lot if Russian imperialism is not checked here and now. The only reason the US can even contemplate giving less is because Russia is so fucked from the last 2yrs.

          What you see as “begging for money and guns” is just an observation of reality - a small country like Ukraine cannot stand up to a huge one like Russia without support, and it benefits the west greatly to give that support.

          US foreign policy is not charitable and never has been.

          Also lest we not forget that this is exactly what good relations and alliances are for - to give aid to the one in need because we’re stronger together. It stands to reason that those with the most, should also give the most.

          Oh and BTW, the EU has given more to Ukraine than the US has.

        • Rob BosEnglish
          9•1 year ago

          I think I speak for a lot of Canadians that when your civil war breaks out, we’ll be sending arms and support to whoever is opposing the Trumpists. It may be under the table.

        • @cynar@lemmy.worldEnglish
          4•1 year ago

          I’ll also point out that there was an explicit understanding with the west. Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons (the USSR had a good number based there). In return, the west agreed to back them if Russia tried to annex them. Russia is currently doing exactly that, it’s not unreasonable for Ukraine to expect some help.

          • @CADmonkey@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2•1 year ago

            I’ll also point out that there was an explicit understanding with the west.

            Is “The West” the US only?

        • @funkless_eck@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          2•1 year ago

          I dont see any problem in saying those with the most give the most. And I don’t see any problem in saying even if someone is super generous they can still be criticized.

          If I donate my paycheck to the animal shelter and then murder a bunch of people I can’t say “it cancels out, you can’t criticise me any more!”

      • @LwL@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7•1 year ago

        This situation somewhat does. Yes there’s also been Orban being a fuck about EU help, but armament wise the US has been the primary supplier, and if US aid wasn’t running out, Ukraine wouldn’t be facing these issues, regardless of whether the EU or even other actors also could’ve prevented this.