The President of the Czech Republic expects that Western support for Ukraine will decrease over time, reports the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. This is one of the first statements by a NATO member, signaling that support for Kyiv may be waning, Reuters reports.

Peter PaulPhoto: Šimánek Vít / ČTK / Profimedia

The Czech government and other NATO members have offered military assistance to Ukraine to fight Moscow’s invasion.

But Petro Pavel, a former NATO general, said the results of next year’s US presidential election will affect European support for Ukraine, and Kyiv must recognize that this year is crucial.

“If the support from the US decreases, the support from several European countries will also decrease. Ukraine should take this into account,” said Pavlo.

“We have to consider war fatigue and what it means for the support of Western countries. Over time, it will decrease,” said Petro Pavel.