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NYT: It's getting harder for Biden to convince Europe to support Ukraine

Ukraine (bbabo.net), - By promising Ukraine billions of dollars, the Joe Biden administration hopes to prove that American support can overpower Russian resolve. The allocation of billions in military aid has had little effect on Biden's popularity inside the United States, but he needs to keep Europe on his side, as the conflict in Ukraine provoked a jump in energy prices that could cause one of the biggest crises in European history, writes The New York Times.

US politicians say they see no sign of discord within NATO, but a surge in energy prices and the prospect of cold houses during the winter have raised concerns, columnists Chris Cameron and Helen Cooper write. This concern intensified after Gazprom announced that gas supply via Nord Stream 1 would not be resumed.

For his part, Joe Biden appears to be intent on demonstrating NATO cohesion. Republican Senator Mitt Romney said that support for Ukraine among US allies remains strong. At the same time, he noted that it is still unclear how this situation will change in winter, when the price of heating in Europe reaches record levels.

As Cameron and Cooper note, most aid to Ukraine comes from America, while material aid from Europe is beginning to decline. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, total aid to Ukraine from the six largest European countries declined in May and dropped sharply in June, with none of the six countries making major pledges in July.

According to the director of the institute, Christophe Trebesch, assistance from these countries has, in fact, reached zero. According to analysts, a particularly strong reduction in supplies is observed from Germany.

As Cameron and Cooper write, critics accuse Berlin of not doing enough to help Ukraine. The main factor is the refusal of the FRG to supply Ukraine with Leopard-2 tanks. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that German military stocks were too depleted to supply heavy weapons.

NYT: It's getting harder for Biden to convince Europe to support Ukraine