Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated in a recent social media post that his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump was far from ideal. Despite this, Zelenskyy is ready to collaborate with Trump’s robust leadership to establish long-lasting peace.
This statement from Zelenskyy came after the US declared a temporary halt in military aid to Ukraine. This aid is pivotal in Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion. The Ukrainian leader expressed his disappointment over the meeting with Trump, emphasizing his desire to rectify the situation and fostering a more constructive future collaboration.
Zelenskyy expressed his readiness to reconvene for discussions aimed at achieving a sustainable peace agreement. He also acknowledged the US’s support during the ongoing conflict and indicated Ukraine’s readiness to sign a minerals deal proposed by the US.
As per reports, Trump has ordered a pause in all military aid to Ukraine, which could potentially pressurize the country to align with US’s peace deal efforts with Russia, despite lacking security assurances for Ukraine. This suspension, however, is not a permanent termination of aid and will last until Trump is convinced that Ukraine is committed to peace.
In response to this development, the Kremlin welcomed the news, stating that the suspension of US aid could potentially drive Ukraine towards the peace process. This suspension could significantly reduce Ukraine’s chances of resisting Russia’s invasion, as it includes all US military equipment not currently in Ukraine.
Despite this, some experts believe that this suspension might not have an immediate impact. Ukraine’s dependency on the US for its battlefield needs has significantly reduced compared to earlier stages of the war.
The exact amount of military aid affected by this suspension remains uncertain. However, an allocation of $3.85 billion worth of weapons approved by Congress under the Biden administration has not yet been authorized by the White House. Since Trump assumed office in January, no new military aid has been sanctioned.
The suspension of US aid could potentially impact air defense missiles, HIMARS ammunition, and artillery. If these supplies run out, Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian forces could be compromised. Meanwhile, Ukrainian politicians have expressed their concern over the deteriorating relationship between Kyiv and Washington and are advocating for immediate restoration of dialogue with the United States.
This suspension of military aid comes after a disappointing visit of Zelenskyy to the White House, which was expected to result in a deal on joint development of Ukrainian minerals and hydrocarbon resources. However, the meeting turned into a heated argument, leading to the cancellation of the minerals deal.
Following this incident, European leaders are looking into taking over potential peace negotiations and stepping up military aid to Ukraine. Amidst the escalating conflict with the United States over the war in Ukraine, the European Commission is considering a “rearm Europe plan” to boost Europe’s defense capabilities.
