Joanna Kakissis

Well, Michelle, there might not be an immediate impact. A member of the Ukrainian Parliament's Defense Committee said today that Ukraine might be able to hold on for about six months without U.S. aid. Ukraine's defense industry has also been growing exponentially since Russia's 2022 invasion. So some supplies can also come from Ukraine itself.

For example, Ukraine has become a powerhouse manufacturer of drones. which can replace artillery to some extent on the battlefield. But Ukraine can't replace everything like Bradley fighting vehicles or GPS guided rockets or crucially Patriot air defense systems, which are key to protecting Ukrainian cities from nightly attacks by Russian drones and missiles.

For example, Ukraine has become a powerhouse manufacturer of drones. which can replace artillery to some extent on the battlefield. But Ukraine can't replace everything like Bradley fighting vehicles or GPS guided rockets or crucially Patriot air defense systems, which are key to protecting Ukrainian cities from nightly attacks by Russian drones and missiles.

For example, Ukraine has become a powerhouse manufacturer of drones. which can replace artillery to some extent on the battlefield. But Ukraine can't replace everything like Bradley fighting vehicles or GPS guided rockets or crucially Patriot air defense systems, which are key to protecting Ukrainian cities from nightly attacks by Russian drones and missiles.

And also there is the Starlink system owned by Trump ally Elon Musk. Starlink helps the military communicate.

And also there is the Starlink system owned by Trump ally Elon Musk. Starlink helps the military communicate.

And also there is the Starlink system owned by Trump ally Elon Musk. Starlink helps the military communicate.

Yeah, well, holding up military aid back then certainly had a clear impact. The lack of air defense systems meant Ukrainian cities were less protected from Russian attacks, as were Ukraine's thermal power plants, which Russia repeatedly bombed and largely destroyed. And soldiers on the front line ran so low on artillery shells that they had to ration them.

Yeah, well, holding up military aid back then certainly had a clear impact. The lack of air defense systems meant Ukrainian cities were less protected from Russian attacks, as were Ukraine's thermal power plants, which Russia repeatedly bombed and largely destroyed. And soldiers on the front line ran so low on artillery shells that they had to ration them.

Yeah, well, holding up military aid back then certainly had a clear impact. The lack of air defense systems meant Ukrainian cities were less protected from Russian attacks, as were Ukraine's thermal power plants, which Russia repeatedly bombed and largely destroyed. And soldiers on the front line ran so low on artillery shells that they had to ration them.

Some military analysts here say Russia, as a result, was able to take key cities because of weakened Ukrainian defenses.

Some military analysts here say Russia, as a result, was able to take key cities because of weakened Ukrainian defenses.

Some military analysts here say Russia, as a result, was able to take key cities because of weakened Ukrainian defenses.

Well, Michelle, Europe has stepped up its support and recent research shows that the bloc could make up the difference in military aid, at least for a while. This morning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also laid out a plan for the EU to boost its own defense spending by about 800 billion euros.

Well, Michelle, Europe has stepped up its support and recent research shows that the bloc could make up the difference in military aid, at least for a while. This morning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also laid out a plan for the EU to boost its own defense spending by about 800 billion euros.

Well, Michelle, Europe has stepped up its support and recent research shows that the bloc could make up the difference in military aid, at least for a while. This morning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also laid out a plan for the EU to boost its own defense spending by about 800 billion euros.

But without the U.S., defending Ukraine and Europe will be challenging, especially in the long run.

But without the U.S., defending Ukraine and Europe will be challenging, especially in the long run.

But without the U.S., defending Ukraine and Europe will be challenging, especially in the long run.

You're welcome, Michelle.