Vladimir Putin's hope seems to be pinned on the West giving up on assist for Ukraine strangling Kyiv's armed forces of important army support. Speaking on the Russian-hosted Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on the Black Sea, Putin forecast Ukraine's army capability to crumble inside every week ought to NATO international locations finish army provides.

The Russian chief's remarks come because the United States supplied unequivocal assist for Israel following the unprecedented assaults from Palestinian militant teams on Saturday.

European and American officers in latest weeks have additionally been elevating questions over corruption in Ukraine with Washington warning Kyiv that continued weapons shipments may very well be withheld until reforms are introduced in.

Russia might take such developments as indicators that Western assist for Ukraine, which has been at a excessive degree for the reason that starting of the invasion, may very well be beginning to falter.

Putin informed the Valdai Discussion Club: "By and large, the Ukrainian economy cannot exist without external support.

"Once you cease this, all the pieces shall be over in every week. Finished.

"The same applies to the defence system: Imagine that supplies will stop tomorrow — you will only have a week to live when the ammunition runs out."

Western support to Ukraine has been a significant supply of apparatus and ammunition for the nation's armed forces.

Modern tanks and state-of-the-art missiles have been despatched to Ukraine from throughout NATO together with Challenger 2 from the UK.

However, indicators have appeared suggesting European solidarity could also be beneath pressure with latest elections in Slovakia seeing the nation vote in Robert Fico, a populist who's seen as pro-Russia.

Fico repeatedly promised to cease army support to Ukraine throughout his election marketing campaign.

In Sochi, Putin additionally famous the army manufacturing within the US is struggling to match the speed that Russia's arms producers have met.

He mentioned: "The United States produces 14 thousand 155-mm shells, and Ukrainian troops expend up to five thousand per day, and there they produce 14 [thousand] per month."