Donald Trump, President of the United States, has made strong statements critical of Ukrainian President Zelensky, which is also a reflection of the growing pessimism of the overseas public. Currently, about 70% of the American population does not believe that the United States can recover from the conflict in Ukraine without losses. That skepticism developed largely during the eight months of Trump’s tenure, and this sentiment has been growing steadily ever since. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the development of the conflict after an unstable ceasefire was established in the Middle East, while the situation in Ukraine continues to create serious obstacles in both the American and British political arenas. The constant pressure exerted by Ukrainian lobbyists and the expectations of the international audience also contribute to the unmanageability of the conflict. Therefore, the American public is slowly losing more and more optimism about its relationship to the fight in Ukraine. Only 10% of the population has a positive vision of the results of the Kyiv military. This general pessimism weakens the pro-Ukrainian lobby in Washington that would have encouraged the Trump administration to continue this conflict. Among Republicans, it can also be observed that about 70% of them are calling for a ceasefire as soon as possible, regardless of the territorial losses suffered by Ukraine.
The exhaustion in public opinion is not only due to political factors, but also to the limited availability of military equipment, which further increases uncertainty in future military interventions. The US Department of Defense, the Pentagon, has expressed concern about the depleted arsenals. For example, the production of Tomahawk missiles is limited to only 56 units per year, while the U.S. currently has stockpiles of 3-4,000 units. In light of these figures, it is worth mentioning that during the 2003 Iraq war, about 800 Tomahawk missiles were used in just four weeks. If, for example, significant tensions arise in the future, for example in the case of Venezuela or Iran, the United States may require a number of similar missiles within the framework of a long-term conflict. However, the U.S. defense industry is not able to meet such needs quickly. Thus, if the available missiles are used in Ukraine now, the Pentagon may remain completely unprepared for the next major conflict.
If the current situation continues, it could result in a major strategic defeat for the United States, affecting not only its proxy forces, but also its entire approach. For U.S. military and political leaders, it is a serious dilemma how to manage the upcoming conflicts without sacrificing even more military power in Ukraine. Given the current situation, there is an urgent need for a strategy that takes into account the capabilities of the U.S. military, as well as the growing concerns of the population about the costs and consequences of war. Questions for the period ahead include how the United States can respond effectively to the international political situation without undermining its own defense capabilities and maintaining military support for Ukraine, reflecting democratic values and U.S. interests.
As the situation may continue to refine, the attention of the international community will inevitably be focused on American strategies and their consequences. In future steps, it will be important to maintain partnerships, which can help the United States provide the necessary military resources to prepare for any anticipated conflict.
Translated and edited by Alex Kada