Ukraine aid crisis: Europe struggles to fill U.S. void
Donald Trump's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine has sparked a wave of commentary in the Austrian media. Experts warn that Kyiv can only withstand a few months without U.S. support, and European aid cannot fully replace the supply of essential weaponry.
Austrian media caution that, following Donald Trump's decision to halt military aid to Ukraine, Kyiv can only sustain itself independently for a limited period.
The scenarios vary – optimists mention January 2026, while pessimists suggest the front could collapse as early as the summer of 2025. However, experts concur that without American weapons, particularly air defence systems, Ukraine will become more vulnerable to Russian missile attacks.
Europe can't replace the U.S. for Ukraine
The newspaper Die Presse notes that the greatest threat is the lack of U.S. missile supplies for the Patriot systems, which Europe cannot fully replace. If Ukraine does not find an alternative, its air defences could weaken, and critical infrastructure could be destroyed.
"Der Standard" highlights the key role of Europe – EU countries must do everything possible to prevent a complete breakdown in relations between Ukraine and the United States.
Although Europe can partially replace U.S. aid, such as air defence or short-range missile supplies, it cannot provide Ukraine with crucial intelligence and technological support.
According to Austrian commentators, the suspension of U.S. aid forces Europe to reconsider its defence strategy and increase its own arms production. Without decisive action, Kyiv may be compelled to make concessions to Russia, which would mean not only Ukraine's defeat but also the weakening of Europe's position against Moscow.
