Europe | More blood, less treasure

Ukraine’s new enemy: war fatigue in the West

Congress holds up military aid as unsupportive populists make gains in Europe

A Ukrainian soldier prepares 155mm artillery shells
Photograph: Getty Images
|KYIV AND WASHINGTON, DC

FOR MORE than 600 days of full-scale war, America has been Ukraine’s greatest saviour as it marshalled arms, money and more to help repel Russia’s invasion. Now America has become one of Ukraine’s greatest worries. Its aid for Ukraine is fast running out, and dysfunction in Congress is blocking new assistance. Nobody is sure when—or whether—it will be restored.

The effect is being felt at the front as America tries to stretch its dwindling funds. “In the spring the flow of military supplies was a broad river. In the summer it was a stream. Now it is a few drops of tears,” says one informed Ukrainian source. Ukraine faces a bleak winter amid great uncertainty: its counter-offensive has failed to break through Russian lines; its enemy is increasing its arms production; and its vital ally is paralysed by political turmoil and distracted by Israel’s war in Gaza.

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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline "A new enemy: war fatigue in the West"

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