The USA accounts for around 30 percent of Ukraine's defensive capacity, stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyj last month.
You can imagine what would happen to us without those vital 30 percent, he said.
Ukraine receives weapons from Europe and also produces its own. Kyiv would therefore likely be able to hold out for a few weeks, maybe a few months, if the USA stops its deliveries.
Bombed Power Plants
Last year's pause in USA support gives a hint of what would happen then. Then, the flow of military support from Washington to Kyiv was stopped since Donald Trump pressured allied Republicans in Congress to hold back the deliveries.
The stop lasted for several months – and was noticeable, writes The New York Times.
The first effects became clear during the nightly Russian bombings of Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to the newspaper. When the advanced American defense systems were empty, Ukraine's air defense could do very little to defend itself when Russia's most sophisticated robots laid Ukrainian power plants in ruins.
Rationing at the Front
When USA support was delayed month after month, Kyiv's subway stations were flooded with families seeking shelter.
When the American Patriot systems slowly ran out, the protective cover that had lain over the Ukrainian capital disappeared.
At the front lines in the east, it took longer before the effects became noticeable. But when the stores were depleted and American-made artillery units fell silent, Ukrainian commanders were forced to ration their soldiers' ammunition, writes The New York Times.
