The continuing war in Ukraine is placing strain not only on Kyiv but also on Europe, especially since it assumed the sole responsibility to fund Ukraine. President Donald Trump reduced financial support to Ukraine seeking to push Kyiv into accepting a peace deal more suited to Russia than itself. President Volodymyr Zelenskky refused, though he appears to be bending now. Inputs mention that since January 2025, US support to Ukraine has reduced from $130 billion, during the tenure of President Joe Biden, to $540 million now.

The US desires that Europe purchase military equipment for supporting Ukraine from US manufacturers. In end 2024, just prior to the conclusion of his presidency, Biden approved provision of artillery ammunition, rockets and armoured vehicles for Ukraine. He also released a $1.25 billion aid package. Europe was aware that Trump coming into the White House would imply cuts in aid to Ukraine. This happened. Trump had stated during his electioneering, “You (Zelenskky) should have never started it (war). You could have made a deal.” Trump recently mentioned, “The United States has spent a fortune. Europe has spent a fortune. Europe’s tired of it right now.”

Trump believes Zelenskky is prolonging the war due to financial and military support Ukraine receives from Europe. For Europe, Ukraine is a frontline state, defending it from Russian expansionism, despite President Vladimir Putin stating on multiple occasions that he has no such intention. In a recent interview Putin termed this belief of Europe as “some kind of political schizophrenia”. On 16 October, during an EU summit, Zelenskky announced that the war in 2027 would cost Ukraine an additional €155 billion. He therefore re queste d EU for an additional €70 billion loan, in addition to a previously released €90 billion. These were to be utilized for defence, weapon production and national resilience. Ukraine is forced to bank on support from Europe.

Europe made no commitment to fund Ukraine’s additional demand. Europe has been funding Ukraine........

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