Recent developments in the war show that Ukraine is facing serious challenges in its conflict with Russia. Russia** Putin said in a recent meeting in the Kremlin that Ukraine is exhausting all its war resources and that Zelensky is in a desperate situation. Putin stressed that, unlike Ukraine, which is dependent on external aid, Russia is self-sufficient, has an independent military-industrial complex and ample funding.
As Western military aid to Ukraine gradually decreases, the Ukrainian army is not only difficult to continue**, but even appears to be stretched thin in defending against the Russian offensive. Against this backdrop, both Zelensky and his Western supporters seem to be feeling unprecedented pressure. Some Western countries, notably the United Kingdom, are struggling to maintain support for Ukraine, despite their own economic and military difficulties.
According to reports, the United Kingdom recently decided to provide Ukraine with two ** ships to assist Ukraine in the detection and removal of mines in the Black Sea, while restoring sea exit channels. This aid reflects the UK's continued support for Ukraine, while also exposing the constraints of Western countries in terms of military aid.
Germany and Japan have also pledged financial aid to Ukraine, but this aid is a drop in the bucket compared to the challenges Ukraine actually faces. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz even said that Germany could increase aid to Ukraine if the attitude of Western allies changes. While this rhetoric is a political expression of support for Ukraine, given Germany's current military strength and public **, actual reinforcements do not seem likely.
The current situation of the German team is also not optimistic. According to the report of the German Ministry of Defense, the main systems of the German army are in poor condition, whether it is the "Typhoon" fighter of the Air Force, the main missile frigate of the Navy, or the "Leopard 2" tank of the Army, they are all facing serious operation and maintenance problems.
The support of Western countries for Ukraine seems to be more in words than in deeds. Although they frequently profess support for Ukraine, the assistance they provide is not commensurate with Ukraine's needs. This situation puts Ukraine in an even more difficult situation, not only dealing with Russian military pressure, but also facing the uncertainty of Western assistance.
Putin's rhetoric and Russia's military self-sufficiency stand in stark contrast to Ukraine's high dependence on external aid. Ukraine's dilemma lies not only militarily, but also in the lack of sufficient political and economic autonomy. As the war drags on, the challenges facing Ukraine seem to be growing, and the support provided by Western countries does not seem to be enough to change Ukraine's current predicament.
[Author's Comments].
Putin's statement is clearly aimed at the plight of the Ukrainian army in the conflict. As the war continues, Ukraine does face serious challenges. First, Ukraine's military resources are indeed limited. Ukraine's dependence on Western aid to compensate for the lack of its military equipment has somewhat limited Ukraine's strategic autonomy. Second, Ukraine's economy has been severely affected by the war, which has indirectly affected its ability to sustain the war.
However, Putin's assessment should also be treated with caution, as it may be part of psychological warfare. By declaring that the enemy is exhausted, Putin may be trying to weaken Ukrainian morale and Western support for Ukraine.
Next, it is necessary to consider the military assistance of Western countries to Ukraine. While the assistance of countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany may not appear to be sufficient to change the overall strategic situation in Ukraine, they have provided critical support to Ukraine. The UK's pledge to provide minesweepers and German military aid, while limited in scale, are symbolic of the West's continued interest and support for Ukraine.
Moreover, Scholz's remarks, while perhaps exaggerated, reflect the political and military challenges faced by Western countries in their support for Ukraine. Western countries need to find a balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding direct conflict with Russia.