Following President Trump’s directive to pause American military assistance, Ukrainian officials and politicians scrambled on Tuesday to preserve their alliance with Washington, with the war-weary nation bracing for the possibility of continuing the conflict without U.S. support.
With the White House and the Kremlin increasingly aligned, Ukraine sought to strengthen support from European allies, many of whom quickly offered reassurances on Tuesday. The government assessed the duration Ukraine’s military stockpiles would last before facing shortages that could impact the front lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not directly address the military aid suspension, which affects more than $1 billion worth of arms and ammunition in the pipeline and on order. Instead, he met with senior civilian and military leaders to discuss “special issues concerning our national resilience.” He stated in his nightly address, “We are considering all possible scenarios to protect Ukraine. The base scenario is to hold positions and provide conditions for proper diplomacy, for the soonest possible end to the war with a just peace.”
In apparent response to President Trump’s allegations that he doesn’t desire peace, President Zelensky emphasized, “We need peace — real, fair peace — not endless war. And we need security guarantees.”
An emergency session in the Ukrainian parliament convened on Tuesday to examine the impact of the latest pressure exerted by the Trump administration. Troops in the trenches awakened to the news that an already grueling conflict could become even more challenging and brutal.
The decision to suspend aid delivery followed an explosive meeting at the White House, in which President Trump critcized President Zelensky and declared him ungrateful, deepening a rift in relations that may be hard to mend.
Public reactions in Ukraine to the news varied from calls of betrayal to feelings of sadness and disbelief. Oleksandr Merezhko, speaking to the media, drew parallels to Pearl Harbor, calling it a political betrayal. Mykhailo Samus, an independent expert in Ukrainian security policy, added that if aid was halted, “the U.S. would be conducting a joint operation with Russia to pressure Ukraine into surrender.”
The White House move would not only be damaging to Ukraine but may also undermine the U.S.’s standing as a global leader. European leaders, on the other hand, have pledged their continued support to Ukraine, expressing concerns about ensure a lasting peace and enhancing Europe’s military capabilities in light of this development.
The Kremlin welcomed the news, suggesting it could accelerate Ukraine’s engagement in a peace process. However, Western military analysts argue it could extend the conflict, as Russia might push for further territorial gains, including Ukrainian demilitarization and neutrality, emboldened by the lack of U.S. support.
The aid cut would prevent the delivery of vital anti-missile systems that have protected Ukrainian cities from missile and drone attacks. While Ukraine is better equipped now than it was when Congress once suspended assistance, the impact of the current suspension will become more significant over time.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/world/europe/ukraine-us-trump-military-support.html
