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National Post

Ukraine left scrambling after U.S. says halting some arms shipments

Ukraine appealed to the United States for clarity on Wednesday after it was caught off guard by a White House announcement that Washington was halting some arms shipments to the war-battered country. Article content The Ukrainian defence ministry, which is deeply dependent on U.S. arms, said it had not been notified about the reduction in aid announced one day earlier. Article content Article content Moscow revelled in the decision, saying it could bring the end of the war closer. Any slowdown in U.S. support could harm Kyiv's ability to fend off escalating Russian aerial bombardments or frontline gains. Article content Article content Kyiv has long feared halts to U.S. aid after Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, having criticised the tens of billions of dollars in support and weapons sent by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Article content Article content 'It will even more scary, even more painful, and even more civilians will suffer,' Kyiv resident Yevgenia Prysiazhna told AFP, referring to an uptick in overnight drone and missile attacks on Ukraine. Article content 'I really hope that this is a temporary decision,' the communications manager said. Article content John Ginkel, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Kyiv, was summoned by the foreign ministry — a rare diplomatic move usually reserved for foes and rivals, not vital allies — given uncertainty about what the cuts would mean for Kyiv. Article content 'The Ukrainian side stressed that any delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine's defence capabilities would only encourage the aggressor to continue the war,' Ukraine's foreign ministry said. Article content The White House had said it was halting some key weapons shipments promised by the previous U.S. administration, without elaborating. Article content Article content Under Biden, Washington spearheaded Western support for Ukraine, with Congress having approved more than $100 billion in aid, including $43 billion in weaponry. Article content Article content Trump instead has pushed the two sides into peace talks, including in phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin — who rejected calls for a ceasefire and demanded Ukraine cede more territory if it wants Moscow to halt its invasion, launched in 2022. Article content 'Europe is doing its best, but it will be difficult for us without American ammunition,' the source added.