Putin’s prediction comes as considerations mount about way forward for US funding for Ukraine amid political turmoil in Washington.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned Ukraine couldn’t survive for greater than “per week” with out Western navy and monetary help, a declare made on the identical day as a European Union official warned that the bloc couldn’t exchange the funding hole if help for Kyiv from the USA dried up.
Putin made his remarks on Western funding for Ukraine as fears mount that political turmoil in Washington may jeopardise essential navy and humanitarian help that Kyiv requires to battle Russia’s invasion. US President Joe Biden admitted this week that he “does fear” US support for Ukraine might get derailed.
Talking on Thursday at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based assume tank, within the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin mentioned that Ukraine was being propped up “due to multi-billion donations that come every month”.
“If one simply stops, it should all die in per week,” Putin mentioned.
“The identical applies to the defence system. Simply think about the help stops tomorrow. It should dwell for under per week after they run out of ammo,” he mentioned.
Putin additionally claimed that Ukraine had misplaced greater than 90,000 troops since Kyiv’s counteroffensive towards Russian forces started in June.
At a gathering of the European Political Group (EPC) in Spain on Thursday, EU overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned the EU couldn’t exchange the US as Kyiv’s major donor.
“Can Europe fill the hole left by the US? Effectively, definitely Europe can not exchange the US,” Borrell mentioned.
The EU and the US – collectively comprising most NATO members – are important in Ukraine’s battle towards Russia. The EU and its member states have promised greater than $100bn in multi-year help to Ukraine, together with financing weapon deliveries. Washington has dedicated $43bn in navy help, whereas Congress has accredited $113bn, which incorporates humanitarian help.
However new US funding for Ukraine has been placed on maintain as a part of a weekend deal struck with opposition Republicans to avert a US authorities shutdown.
The elimination by hardline Republicans of their very own House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy this week has added to the uncertainty round help for Ukraine. Among the hardliners need US help to Ukraine to stop.
Jim Dubik, a senior fellow on the Washington, DC-based Institute for the Examine of Struggle (ISW) assume tank, mentioned that Putin is relying on NATO and the US to wane of their help for Ukraine, and up to date occasions within the US Congress play into Putin’s arms.
“By slicing help to Ukraine, Congress is instantly supporting Putin’s need to divide the alliance … Congress’s latest motion doesn’t manifest the strategic management the world expects of the USA,” Dubik mentioned in a remark posted on social media.
“#Putin isn’t going to give up until he’s pressured to. Given the poor state of #Russian forces, he’s barely been hanging on and is relying on US and #NATO help to wane. By slicing help to #Ukraine, Congress is instantly supporting Putin’s need to divide the alliance.” 2/4
— ISW (@TheStudyofWar) October 4, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, chatting with the assembly in Spain of European leaders on Thursday, expressed concern about Washington’s “political storms” however mentioned he was assured he nonetheless had US bipartisan backing.
Leaders on the EPC summit mentioned Putin’s calculation was that the West would change into fatigued at long-term help of Ukraine, handing him a path to victory.
“I feel Russia desires us to be drained,” Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas mentioned, including: “We should always present them that we’re not. We now have to assist Ukraine so long as it takes.”.
French President Emmanuel Macron bolstered that message in a gathering with Zelenskyy, pledging “tireless” help for Ukraine.
However inside the EU there are fissures.
Slovakia introduced it has frozen selections on navy help to neighbouring Ukraine following parliamentary elections on Sunday which had been gained by former Prime Minister Robert Fico’s SMER-SSD social gathering, which campaigned on a promise to finish navy help for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.