Trump suspends military aid to Ukraine after dispute with Zelenskyy: consequences will be felt in weeks
US President Donald Trump has suspended military aid to Ukraine following a conflict with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Here's What We Know
According to CNN, Trump ordered the suspension of all military aid to Ukraine after a dispute with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on 28 February. A White House official said that the president is committed to peace and wants his partners to be committed to this goal as well. Therefore, aid is being suspended and reviewed to make sure it contributes to ending the war.
Another official said that the pause would apply to all military equipment that is not already in Ukraine. This decision is a direct response to what Trump considers Zelenskyy's behaviour to be wrong. However, the pause could be lifted if Zelenskyy demonstrates a commitment to negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.
A US official familiar with the situation said that it would take some time, perhaps days or weeks, for the effects of the suspension of US military aid to be felt by the Ukrainian armed forces. However, when the country's current stockpiles begin to deplete, the consequences will be serious, even if other countries rush to fill the gap. The official added that Europe cannot fill the gap alone.
Experts believe that this move will be felt for two to four months, as the assistance of European countries helps Kyiv to stay in the fight for now. However, Mark Kanchian, Senior Advisor at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, noted that the impact will be severe. He also added that the Trump administration has other forms of assistance to Ukraine that could be suspended or cancelled entirely, including intelligence sharing and training for Ukrainian forces.
Source: CNN
