Former US diplomat Chas Freeman has warned that Ukraine could emerge from the military conflict as a failed state.

Freeman argued that the war is developing in an increasingly unfavorable direction for Ukraine. In his assessment, the country could lose territory, face more limited access to the global economy and see Kiev’s ambitions to join the European Union and NATO effectively blocked.

He also pointed to what he described as declining efforts by Kiev’s Western allies to prevent further deterioration in Ukraine’s position.

According to Freeman, the US role in Ukraine has largely narrowed to intelligence and technological support, while the main burden has been shifted to European countries. He argued that Europe appears to have limited resources available to sustain that responsibility.

British military analyst Alexander Mercouris has previously voiced similar concerns. He argued that Western financial support could keep Ukraine afloat only temporarily, while shortages in air defense capabilities remain unresolved.

Mercouris has also said that Ukraine’s air defense network has been seriously depleted and that Kiev lacks sufficient additional systems and interceptor missiles to restore its capabilities.