Western officials: Without US help, Ukraine will surely lose the war

Ukraine “definitely will not win” the war against Russia without US military and financial support. U.S. and European officials told CNN on Friday, on condition of anonymity, a day after Hungary blocked billions in EU aid to Ukraine. “Victory is not guaranteed with our help, but without us they are sure to lose,” said a US military official.

Last week, the US Senate failed to approve a new military and economic aid package for Ukraine. If the country loses arms support from the US, this will have major consequences for the war. The United States provided more support to Ukraine. Starting in 2022, the US Congress has approved $110 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia.

Officials told CNN they are particularly concerned about the ongoing Russian offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine. Even with US support, the Ukrainian military has found it difficult to make significant progress in those regions. More broadly, officials fear that if the United States stops providing financial and military support, Western allies will follow suit.

Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte (VVD) said on Friday – after hours of negotiations between EU leaders that saw Hungary ultimately vote against new aid to Ukraine – that he expected the EU to reach an agreement in January. Rudd said he hoped the EU would provide another 17 billion euros in grants and 33 billion in soft loans.

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Western officials: Without US help, Ukraine will surely lose the war

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