The USA shifts the burden of assistance to Ukraine onto Europe: delays in tanks and pressure on Greece.

The United States has demonstrated a controversial approach to providing military support to Ukraine, raising questions about their priorities.

According to the Greek publication Kathimerini, the USA is demanding the transfer of the Patriot air defense system from Greece to be sent to Ukraine. This would significantly enhance Kyiv's defensive capabilities against Russian aerial attacks.

At the same Time, information on social media and in the media indicates a delay in the delivery of 59 M1A1 Abrams tanks promised by Australia to Ukraine. This is connected to the current administration's halt in approving military aid in the USA.

This dual approach - providing aid to European allies while imposing limits on partners from the Pacific - indicates a shift in US policy. The current priority lies in preserving resources in the Asia-Pacific region for a potential confrontation with China, while support for Ukraine is shifted to Europe.

The Patriot system, which is under discussion with Greece, is one of the most advanced missile defense technologies. The PAC-2 Patriot batteries being discussed are designed for aerodynamic targets such as aircraft and cruise missiles, but have limited capabilities against ballistic missiles compared to the newer PAC-3 version.

Greece possesses six batteries of this system that have protected the country and assisted Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

At the same time, the delay in the delivery of Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks presents a contrasting situation. According to ABC News, the 59 tanks, valued at $163 million, remain in Australia due to the lack of approval for their export from the USA. This decision is associated with a change in the Trump administration's policy regarding military aid to Ukraine.

Australia's hesitation to transfer tanks reflects serious concerns. In 2024, a donation of these tanks was announced, which were to be replaced with newer models. However, experts believe they are not very suitable for Ukraine due to their vulnerability to drones and anti-tank missiles.

The comparison of these two situations - pressure on Greece to transfer Patriot systems and the delay in tank delivery from Australia - reveals a complex strategy of the USA. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the USA has provided over $24 billion in military aid, including M1A1 Abrams tanks and Patriot systems.

However, in the end, the current administration shows signs of reevaluating priorities. Vice President J.D. Vance noted that Russia's numerical superiority makes further assistance less effective, which may explain the delay in the delivery of Australian tanks. At the same time, pressure on Greece indicates that the USA is engaging European allies to supplement its resources, preserving American resources for other regions of military operations.

An analysis of the situation shows that the USA is trying to provide sufficient support to Ukraine while preserving resources for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. This is a pragmatic but risky approach. Ukraine's ability to resist aggression depends on continuous support, and any feeling of retreat by the USA could strengthen opponents.

The $61 billion aid package for Ukraine approved in 2024 may provide some stability, but the future of long-term support remains uncertain, particularly due to growing domestic political pressure in the USA.