Washington: On February 28, following a tense meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, the Trump Administration decided to halt all military aid to Ukraine. The Pentagon stated that the aid would only be restored if the Ukrainian leadership demonstrated a commitment to peace.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the decision involves suspending the supply of all U.S. military equipment that has not yet been delivered to Ukraine, including weapons being transported on aircraft and ships or awaiting at transit points in Poland. This decision is believed to be influenced by several factors, including Trump’s aim to pressure Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to initiate peace talks with Russia and a perceived lack of gratitude from Zelenskyy for U.S. support.
Ukrainian political scientist Valeriy Dymov, in an interview with APA, noted that Trump’s decision is not a fundamental shift in U.S. policy but rather an attempt to pressure Zelenskyy into negotiations with Russia. Dymov suggests that Trump is leveraging military aid as a tool to bring Ukraine to the negotiating table, despite having no clear peace plan.
The suspension of U.S. military aid could significantly impact Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The aid had increased substantially after Russia launched large-scale military operations against Ukraine in 2022. A Ukrainian expert pointed out that during the initial phase of the conflict, Ukraine managed to hold its ground with the support of European partners and other countries, indicating the potential for similar resilience now despite the U.S. suspension.
The expert also emphasized that while European partners may not fully compensate for the U.S. aid, Ukraine is seeking support from other nations, including Japan, South Korea, Trkiye, and others with developed military-industrial capabilities. Dymov highlighted Ukraine’s advancements in drone production, suggesting that it could partially offset the absence of U.S. military support, with help from European allies.