Lagatar24 Desk
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed relief on Saturday that US military aid to Ukraine remains unaffected despite reports of a 90-day pause in foreign aid grants announced by the Donald Trump administration. Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu, thanked “God” that military support to Ukraine continues as the nation battles a prolonged war with Russia.
US Aid to Ukraine Continues
Zelenskyy highlighted the significance of US aid, stating that it constitutes 40% of Ukraine’s military needs. He did not, however, confirm whether humanitarian aid had been paused. “I am focused on military aid; it has not been stopped, thank God,” Zelenskyy remarked, as reported by the Associated Press.
The pause in foreign aid, announced by newly sworn-in Secretary of State Marco Rubio, excludes assistance to Israel and Egypt. An internal memo from Rubio stated, “No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved.”
Trump Administration’s Stance on Russia-Ukraine War
The future of US support for Ukraine remains uncertain under President Donald Trump’s leadership. Trump has frequently criticized Ukraine’s handling of the conflict and suggested that the war could have been avoided. In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy should have negotiated a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to prevent the conflict.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy responded, asserting that peace is possible only with Ukraine’s involvement. “This can only be done with Ukraine; otherwise, it simply will not work because Russia does not want to end the war, and Ukraine does,” he said.
US-Ukraine Relations Amid War
Despite Trump’s remarks, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the US administration’s role in seeking an end to the war. He described his interactions with Trump as “good meetings and conversations” and voiced hope that Trump’s efforts to resolve the conflict would succeed.
