British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ordered a report to assess the progress of the war in Ukraine to weigh London’s military contribution, with senior officials fearing he may take a more cautious approach than his predecessor Boris Johnson, the BBC reported, News.ro reported.

Downing Street insists Rishi Sunak is firmly behind Ukraine, but the prime minister’s request has raised concerns among some Whitehall officials as military commanders say arms supplies to Ukraine could prove crucial in the coming winter months.

A Whitehall source likened the exercise to study warfare and how British military equipment is used to a “Goldman Sachs-style blackboard”.

“Wars are not won at the table. Wars are won by instinct. In the beginning, it was Boris (Johnson) who sat down and said, “Let’s get on with it.” So Rishi has to channel his inner Boris into foreign policy,” a source told the BBC.

According to her, the audit, called a “data-based analysis”, is designed to assess the course of the war and the significance of Britain’s military contribution to Ukraine.

“We are not talking about a declaration of intent. It’s about analyzing what we invested and what we got,” the source said.

Zelensky is trying to encourage the British Prime Minister

According to the BBC, President Volodymyr Zelensky is aware of the debate that has arisen in Britain regarding the support given to Ukraine and encourages Rishi Sunak to maintain strong military support for his country.

“President Zelensky felt what was happening. So he spoke to Rishi. He tries to inspire him, telling him that the English are great liberators, great fighters. We need you. Live up to expectations!” – said a source quoted by the BBC.

Rishi Sunak’s first trip abroad after becoming prime minister on October 25 was to Ukraine, the BBC reminds. In a tweet, Rishi Sunak noted at the time that Great Britain would support Ukraine “to the end”.

Britain has been one of the biggest providers of military aid to Kiev since forces sent by Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February.

But the UK is now facing strikes and protests unprecedented in decades over the cost of living crisis and the Tory government’s refusal to raise wages to tackle rising inflation.

The British military wants strong support for Ukraine in the future

Rishi Sunak’s request for a war assessment comes at a crucial time in the conflict.

Whitehall officials believe that Ukraine and Russia have reached an impasse. The only way, they say, for one side to gain an advantage is to significantly increase the supply of weapons.

Russia has effectively run out of stockpiles, and Ukraine can only rebuild its weapons arsenal with the help of the US and the major military powers of Europe, led by Great Britain.

Whitehall sources say Admiral Tony Radakin, the chief of the defense staff, delivered the message in diplomatic terms during a lecture this week. He said that “Russia’s military cupboard is empty” and appeared to call for mobilization to further support Ukraine.

“Extraordinary times require an extraordinary response. This explains why Russia is losing. And the free world is winning… Provided we maintain our unity and resolve, the real victory that lies within our reach is far more important,” he said in a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

Ukraine also asked for more weapons this week.

General Valery Zaluzhny, head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told The Economist: “I know I can defeat this enemy. But I need resources. I need 300 tanks, 600-700 BMP, 500 howitzers.”

Worried that Rishi Sunak will take a cautious stance on the war

Earlier this month, the US Congress gave the Pentagon permission in principle to purchase significant weapons for Ukraine. But “The Economist” reported that these weapons may not arrive in time for next year’s spring offensive.

Some sources in Whitehall see this approach as a sign of US President Joe Biden’s innate caution about Ukraine, who is more concerned about not sparking a wider global conflict.

There are some fears in Whitehall that Rishi Sunak may end up encouraging the US president to exercise caution, the BBC reports. The BBC source said that so far London has been putting friendly pressure on the US to increase its support for Ukraine.

“We don’t want Rishi to come and confirm Biden’s caveat. We want him to remove it, as Boris did,” a source told the BBC.