KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainians woke up to unsettling news on Tuesday as the Trump administration decided to temporarily suspend military aid for their ongoing struggle against Russia’s invasion. The decision comes just days after a tense confrontation in the Oval Office, further straining the relationship between Kyiv and the White House.
As part of his strategy to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump instructed the country to halt all forms of assistance to Ukraine. It remains uncertain whether this decision will affect the delivery of ammunition for existing weapons systems in Ukraine, although arms deliveries approved during the Biden administration appear to be on hold.
Speaking anonymously, a Ukrainian soldier fighting in Russia’s Kursk region expressed a sense of betrayal, yet a lack of deep disappointment. He said, “I feel betrayed, but this feeling is not really deep for some reason. I was expecting something like that from Trump’s side.” The soldier, involved in a daring military incursion launched in August 2024, shared his thoughts without authorization to speak to the press.
Confusion surrounding Trump’s intentions has intensified due to this move. Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian lawmaker and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, stated, “The problem is that it’s unclear what Trump wants and what the purpose of his actions is. As of today, it appears that he is increasingly siding with Russia and trying to pressure Ukraine into accepting Russia’s demands.” Merezhko expressed concern over Trump’s actions, describing them as “terrible,” as they seem to force the weaker side to comply with the demands of the stronger aggressor.
The fear of aid being halted has been a constant worry for Kyiv since Trump assumed office. Recent developments, including Trump’s team engaging in bilateral talks with Russia and his dismissive attitude toward Zelenskyy, have contributed to the downward spiral of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
According to Andrei Kartapolov, a retired general and head of the defense committee in the lower house of Russian parliament, Ukraine’s ammunition reserves are predicted to be depleted within months. Kartapolov emphasized the need to sustain pressure and target Ukrainian bases and depots with long-range precision weapons to destroy their stockpiles.
Despite the halt in military assistance, Trump expressed interest in signing a deal to acquire a portion of Ukraine’s mineral resources. Both Trump and Zelenskyy have indicated their readiness to sign such an agreement.
Razom for Ukraine, a Ukrainian advocacy group, strongly criticized Trump’s decision, stating, “By abruptly halting military assistance to Ukraine, President Trump is hanging Ukrainians out to dry and giving Russia the green light to continue marching west.” The group urged the White House to immediately reverse its stance, resume military aid, and pressure Putin to end his devastating invasion.