Ukraine Can Resist Russian Aggression Until Mid-2025 if the US Halts Support, Finance Minister Says

Ukraine has sufficient funds and ammunition to continue resisting Russian aggression at least through the first half of 2025 if the US were to halt its support, Ukrainian Minister of Finance Serhii Marchenko stated on December 11.

Marchenko’s statement comes amid the possibility of a reduction of US aid to Ukraine under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Marchenko stressed Ukraine’s intention to establish a constructive relationship with the new administration.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has intensified efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s position ahead of Trump’s inauguration. On December 7, the US announced a $988 million security assistance package aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense sector amid ongoing Russian aggression. This package is part of the $61 billion in aid approved by Congress that the US has pledged to deliver to Ukraine before the end of Biden’s term.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump met recently during a trilateral summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on December 7. Afterwards, Zelenskyy described the meeting as “productive.”

Previously, it was reported that Russian forces were attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses along nearly the entire front line in Donetsk region, with the situation in several areas described as critical.

Russia has recently reignited its assault on southern Ukraine, with Zaporizhzhia—a major industrial and strategic hub—facing continuous guided bomb strikes and escalating attacks in the region.