KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainians on Tuesday grappled with the ramifications of US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause military aid for their fight against Russia’s invasion, days after a disastrous Oval Office row that has deepened a rift between Kyiv and the White House.

Trump directed the US to pause all assistance to Ukraine as he seeks to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to engage in peace talks with Russia.

The decision appears to halt arms deliveries approved under Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden, but it was unclear if deliveries of ammunition for weapons systems already in Ukraine would be affected.

Ukraine, which depends heavily on foreign help to hold back the Russian invasion that began on February 24, 2022, has feared that aid could be stopped since Trump took office.

US-made Patriot air defense missile systems, for example, are a pivotal part of Ukraine’s air defenses.

Just as vital is US intelligence assistance, which has allowed Ukraine to track Russian troop movements and select targets. Ukraine’s European allies couldn’t make up for a US withdrawal of that asset if it proves to be part of the pause.

“I feel betrayed, but this feeling is not really deep for some reason. I was expecting something like that from Trump’s side,” said a Ukrainian soldier fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a daring military incursion in August 2024 to improve its hand in negotiations.

The soldier spoke by phone to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to speak freely about his thoughts as he was unauthorized to speak to the press.

On the frontline, where Ukraine is struggling to fend off........

© The Times of Israel