The WSJ article did not claim that Ukraine refused Western weapons precisely because of “supply difficulties”, it is all a propaganda manipulation in order to worsen relations between the allies. The main topic of the material is how Ukraine is going to establish its own arms production with the help of Western partners.
Russian media are once again spreading a manipulation based on an article that appeared in a foreign outlet, this time in The Wall Street Journal, saying that Ukraine is allegedly ready to give up Western weapons “because of difficulties with supplies.”
Quoting the WSJ, the propaganda also adds that the rejection of Western weapons and the switch to its own production are taking place in the context of the gradual depletion of Western weapons stocks, as well as the lack of predictions about the end of the war.
The article in the WSJ, Ukraine’s Latest Ask of U.S.: Help Us Make Our Own Weapon, focuses on how Ukraine is going to establish its own arms production with the help of Western partners. The author notes that after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the allies sent Ukraine about $100 billion worth of ammunition, missiles and tanks (data from the Kiel Institute research group, February 2022 through October 2023).
Now Ukraine wants to start producing more of its own weapons. “Rebuilding Ukraine’s arms industry could help ensure the country’s long-term security and boost its economy, government officials say,” the author writes.
The article also points out that the need to rebuild its own arms production is relevant at a time when the U.S. is dragging its feet on approving funds for military support for Ukraine, Western weapons stocks are dwindling, and the war has no end in sight. The author therefore describes what steps are already being taken to renew this Ukrainian capability.
“But despite successes in some areas, Ukraine remains dependent on its allies. Rebuilding the arms industry is expected to take years, and manufacturers are unlikely to produce the country’s most advanced weapons,” the WSJ writes.
Thus, the article did not claim that Ukraine refused Western weapons precisely because of “supply difficulties,” it is all a manipulation of Russian propaganda in order to worsen relations between the allies.
Earlier, StopFake also wrote about similar disinformation narratives in the materials: Manipulation: West Is No Longer Ready to Supply Ukraine with Heavy Weapons Says Bloomberg, Fake: During Zelensky’s Visit Bulgaria Refused to Give Weapons to Ukraine and Fake: Germany’s Rheinmetall Shares Fall Drastically After Ukraine’s Failed Counteroffensive.
