A Trump presidency won't be the gift Putin hopes for

If the White House pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine, it will pose a problem for the Kremlin

- Chris Stevenson

Washington has provided more than $64bn (£50bn) in military aid for Ukraine – far in excess of any of Kyiv’s other allies in the West. While Europe’s help is needed and appreciated, it is the US that is the driving force for Ukraine’s defence against Russia. It is a key pillar that Ukraine hopes will not crumble.

Yet new president Donald Trump has been clear that he believes the US is spending too much on non-American interests. While support will continue until January at least, when Trump takes office in the White House, Kyiv will be fearful of that source of money being halted, given the brutal state of the front line in many areas of Ukraine – and with Russia making slow but steady advances in the eastern region of Donetsk.

There are a few billion dollars left in the funds Joe Biden can call upon under presidential drawdown authority to help Ukraine – drawing weapons from US stocks – and he may seek to deplete that source before he leaves office. But then it will be down to Trump, and a Congress that his Republican Party is likely to control, to sign off on support for Kyiv.

Pressure would quickly be piled on Ukraine’s outmanned and outgunned troops on the front line – and an increase in casualties would follow. Europe has been ramping up artillery production, while Ukraine is putting as much effort as it can into increasing its own weapons manufacturing – but the loss of US funding, or even a drop in it, would leave a massive hole.