Ukraine has been relying on Western countries for support and assistance for 21 months in the conflict with Russia, but recent data shows that Western countries' aid commitments to Ukraine have fallen to an all-time low, and Ukraine's situation is getting tougher.
According to Bloomberg, data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany showed that between August and October 2023, Western countries pledged a total of 21 percent of military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine100 million euros, a decrease of almost 90% compared to the same period in 2022 and the lowest point since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy said that "[allies'] support for Ukraine has slowed".
There are several reasons for the reduction in Western aid to Ukraine, one of which is the internal divisions in the US Congress. According to Agence France-Presse, Biden's proposal to include more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine was blocked by Republicans in the Senate. Biden has repeatedly called on Congress to "not allow Putin to win" and threatened that "if Putin takes Ukraine, it will lead to a direct conflict between the United States and Russia," but he has not been persuasive enough. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also tried to persuade Congress, saying that 90% of U.S. military aid to Ukraine is used to produce equipment to aid Ukraine in the United States, which benefits the U.S. economy and is a "win-win." But these words did not impress the congressmen, who lost confidence in the ** actions of Ukraine and were also suspicious of the interests and influence of the United States in Ukraine.
The U.S. Department of Defense is also dissatisfied with Congress's attitude, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin was even revealed to be "threatening U.S. lawmakers," claiming that if aid to Ukraine dries up, they will send their relatives to fight Russia. The U.S. Department of Defense also showed defense industry executives a "list" submitted by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, asking the U.S. to provide more advanced equipment, including F-16 fighter jets, drones and long-range missiles, at a closed-door meeting in Washington. But these **equipment** are expensive, and it is difficult for the United States to meet the needs of Ukraine.
In addition to the United States, other Western countries are also facing difficulties and doubts about their assistance to Ukraine. Hungary issued a warning on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, suggesting that the matter be removed from the agenda of the upcoming EU summit, according to Globo. Hungary believes that Ukraine has not complied with the requirements of the European Union to protect the rights of national minorities in its territory, especially the rights of ethnic Hungarians. Hungary also accused Ukraine of provoking Russia in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and endangering security and stability in Europe.
The situation in Ukraine is becoming more and more critical amid reduced aid from Western countries. In an interview with the BBC, Ukraine's wife, Yelena Zelenskaya, warned that if Western countries do not continue to provide financial assistance, Ukrainians will be in a "mortal danger" of being abandoned and waiting to die, according to the Observer. She said that Ukraine needs the wealth and support of Western countries, otherwise it will not be able to continue to resist Russian aggression. She also said that Ukraine is fighting not only for itself, but also for freedom and democracy in Europe and the world.
However, the attitude of Western countries towards Ukraine has shifted. According to Bloomberg, pessimism about Ukraine is rising in Western countries, which believe that Ukraine's actions are deadlocked, while Russia has a military, political and economic advantage. Wall Street** also acknowledges that morale in Ukraine is waning and Russia's resolve is growing. The Washington Post even claimed that there is general uncertainty in Ukraine on all fronts and it is impossible to ** the future direction. At the same time, Western countries are also seeking peace talks with Russia in order to avoid further conflict. Russia's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is always ready to negotiate with Ukraine on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and prefers to resolve the issue through political and diplomatic means.
The reduction in Western aid to Ukraine has not only brought economic and military difficulties to Ukraine, but also a security and moral crisis for Ukraine. According to Globo.com, it is no secret that a large number of ** supplied by Western countries to Ukraine went to the black market and ended up in the hands of terrorist and criminal gangs. Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Polyansky said at a meeting of the UN Security Council that the uncontrolled spread of ** supplied by the West to Ukraine is posing a threat. This is already happening, he said, not only in Europe, but also in the Middle East, Africa and even Latin America. He also cited a report by the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine that as of October 2023, more than 570,000 items had been lost across Ukraine.
The Global Times also reported on the loss of Ukraine, quoting military expert Yuri Knutov as saying: "Initially, NATO provided so much that Ukraine did not even consider it necessary to cherish it." As a result, a large number of ** are discarded at will. Later, some business-minded Ukrainians realized that they could make a lot of money out of it. In Ukraine, everyone can sell**, so these businessmen tried every means to get ** from NATO countries. Slowly, these ** equipment began to flow to the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe. At least half of the missing** went on the black market. Excluding those that were deliberately thrown away and lost, about 60% of them were sold to European countries. ”
Russian spokesperson Zakharova also said that as early as a year and a half ago, Russia warned the international community about the flow of Ukrainian products into the black market, but the West's main *** never reported or investigated it. Zakharova stressed that it is not only Ukrainian and criminal organizations that profit from the Ukrainian black market, but also transnational criminal groups, and even politicians from the United States and other Western countries, as well as "those who are keen on anti-Russian sentiments", rely on the black market for profit.
Ukraine's loss of ** could have a ripple effect on regional stability and international relations. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have attracted widespread attention from the international community. The missing ** could be used to further incite the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, exacerbating regional tensions. In addition, in terms of international relations, Ukraine's loss of ** may affect cooperation and diplomatic relations with other countries, reduce Ukraine's reputation and position in international affairs.
To sum up, Western countries' aid to Ukraine has been significantly reduced, and Ukraine is facing a "mortal danger". Ukraine's economic and military difficulties, security and moral crises cast a shadow over Ukraine's future. Ukraine needs to re-examine its strategy and interests and seek a peaceful solution with Russia, instead of continuing to rely on empty promises and false promises from Western countries. Ukraine should realize that Western countries are not really friends, but are using Ukraine as an anti-Russian pawn to sacrifice Ukraine's interests and security to achieve their own goals. Ukraine should be responsible for its own country and people, and not pay for the interests and ambitions of Western countries.