Ukraine has vehemently responded to the news that Donald Trump has put a stop to all American military aid, calling it a betrayal from an ally that will only encourage Russia to continue its bombing campaigns and harm more civilians. The deliveries of ammunition and vehicles, which were even agreed upon during Joe Biden’s time as US president, have been halted. This could significantly weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aerial attacks, which have intensified over the past few weeks.
Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Ukraine’s former defense minister, believes that the White House is trying to coerce Volodymyr Zelenskyy into accepting a compromise peace deal on Russia’s harsh terms. He predicts that if Kyiv does not agree, US military aid will be cut off indefinitely.
Zagorodnyuk stated, “I think this is extremely wrong on all different levels,” and emphasized that Ukraine would never give in to intimidation. “Ukraine will never bend to bullies, and to bullying. It’s as simple as that,” he added.
In a video address filmed before the announcement on Monday, Zelenskyy reiterated his calls for a “just” resolution to the conflict. He also responded to a hostile social media post by Trump accusing Ukraine’s president of not wanting peace. “We need peace, true and honest peace – not endless war,” Zelenskyy said.
He emphasized that any agreement must include security guarantees, a position that had previously angered Trump and US Vice President JD Vance during a meeting with Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy stated, “Security guarantees are essential,” and highlighted that it was the lack of these guarantees that allowed Russia to seize Crimea in 2014 and begin its covert occupation of the Donbas region. The lack of guarantees then led to Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and the ongoing conflict.
The Ukrainian president added that the world is aware of this and acknowledges it. He mentioned ongoing efforts with European partners to develop a special diplomatic and security framework that can bring them closer to peace.
Ukrainian journalists and commentators expressed their bitterness that Trump has so far not demanded any concessions from Vladimir Putin. They believe that the White House’s latest move against Ukraine will bring “joy in Moscow,” and that instead of acting as a mediator, Trump is trying to force Ukraine into making territorial concessions that would benefit the Kremlin. Four Ukrainian regions, including cities that Russia claims to have annexed but does not actually control, such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, are at stake.
There was a consensus that Trump has already made up his mind to cut off US aid before his tense meeting with Zelenskyy on Friday, and that the conflict was deliberately stirred up and now being used as an excuse. Some suggest that the US is actively aiding Russia at Ukraine’s expense.
Ukrainian security expert Maria Avdeeva commented on BlueSky, saying, “This isn’t a peace plan, it’s a trap to force our surrender,” and emphasized that siding with Russia would never benefit anyone. She also mentioned that Putin is not negotiating, but rather seeks Ukraine’s capitulation, and that Ukraine will remain strong.
Philosopher and essayist Volodymyyr Yermolenko acknowledged that the consequences will be extremely painful for ordinary Ukrainians. Even before the shutdown, Ukrainian cities and towns were already undergoing massive bombardment from drones and ballistic missiles.
Yermolenko wrote, “This war is a slaughter. The Russians are mostly killing defenseless civilians. By halting assistance (primarily air defense), Trump is helping to escalate this slaughter even further.”
However, some observers expressed optimism that Ukraine has been written off before and has always managed to prevail against the odds. Putin had originally expected to conquer Ukraine within three days back in 2022, but his troops continue fighting and are mired in a war of attrition.
Writer and blogger Ilia Ponomarenko concluded, “We shall endure this as well.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/04/ukraine-reacts-with-defiance-and-anger-to-trump-withdrawal-of-military-aid
