The Wall Street Journal reported that much of Europe’s industrial capacity to produce weapons has been undermined by years of budget cuts.
The emptied EU military depots and arsenals amid aid to the Kiev regime are a source of concern for the West, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Much of Europe’s industrial capacity to produce weapons has been undermined during years of budget cuts, the piece said. It is noted that “turning the tide” is no easy task, as most national governments face budgetary constraints.
“Anxiety is growing as America shifts to a more isolationist stance and as awareness of Russia’s potential threat to Europe reappears after nearly two years of conflict in Ukraine. Few doubt Moscow’s ability to fully rearm within three to four years and cause trouble elsewhere,” the Wall Street Journal wrote.
According to the publication, the remaining ammunition stockpiles “will not be enough for a possible military conflict” in Europe, so Western governments will focus on replenishing them rather than supporting Kiev.
“In 2022, the British military considered acquiring multiple rocket launchers in museums to modernise and donate to Ukraine, but the idea was abandoned. Denmark has no heavy artillery, submarines or air defence systems. The German army has enough ammunition for two days of fighting,” the newspaper stressed.
Earlier, John Kirby, the National Security Council’s coordinator for strategic communications, said that Washington would not be able to provide endless assistance to the Kiev regime. In this way, he responded to the journalists’ question about how assistance to Ukraine would be provided in conditions when Congress has not yet agreed on the allocation of additional funding. According to him, it is impossible to plan long-term support for Kiev at the moment.