Kriegshilfe für die Ukraine: Die Erfolge, Misserfolge und Zukunftsaussichten der Unterstützungsmodelle der USA und der EU

Submission Statement: At the start of 2026, Ukraine finds itself in a precarious position. The United States has embarked on a sustained drawdown in its financial and materiel support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. In a new report, [Marianna Fakhurdinova](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianna-fakhurdinova-435192218/) dissects past decisions and proposes what should be done next to ensure a critical flow of assistance and support to Ukraine. 
 
Successes 
 
◼️ Coordination of Military Aid: The establishment of systems for effective coordination among international partners, enhancing logistical support and military aid delivery to Ukraine and its defense against Russia’s invasion. 
 
◼️ Robust Financial Commitments: The US and EU have made substantial financial commitments to aid Ukraine, exceeding $320 billion in various forms of support, including military assistance. 
 
◼️ Enhanced Defense Production: Both the US and EU have taken steps to ramp up their defense industrial capacities, leading to increased production of military equipment necessary for Ukraine, as well as the purchase of weapons from Ukrainian manufacturers, to bolster Ukraine’s defense industry. 
 
◼️ Strengthened NATO Involvement: NATO’s increased role in coordinating military assistance, especially through the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), has improved organization and oversight. 
 
Failures 
 
◼️ Slow Decision-Making: Significant delays in the decision-making process, leading to slow disbursement of military aid and critical equipment that hindered Ukraine’s operational effectiveness. 
 
◼️ Lack of Long-Term Strategy: The absence of a coherent, long-term strategy for military assistance, and a reliance on short-term funding mechanisms, rendered support often reactive rather than proactive, hindering Ukraine’s ability to achieve decisive victories. 
 
◼️ Fragmentation of Aid: The assistance provided was often fragmented and inconsistent, making it difficult to ensure that aid met Ukraine’s urgent and evolving battlefield needs. 
 
Future Priorities 
 
◼️ Institutionalize Coordination: Strengthen institutional frameworks for donor coordination to ensure more efficient and effective delivery of military assistance, potentially through permanent structures within NATO. 
 
◼️ Establish Multiyear Funding Commitments and Leverage Frozen Russian Assets: Donor countries should implement long-term financial commitments, including leveraging frozen Russian assets and a multiyear NATO fund worth $100 billion, to ensure consistent military support for Ukraine with a clear distribution scheme.  
 
◼️ Enhance Military Industrial Capacity and Invest in Ukrainian Production: Foster greater collaboration and investment in defense industrial bases in both the US and EU, while also increasing investments in Ukraine’s military production capacity.