KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clarified on Saturday that the U.S. has not halted military aid to Ukraine, although newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced a pause on foreign aid grants for 90 days. “I am focused on military aid; it has not been stopped, thank God,” Zelenskyy affirmed during a press conference held alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu. This statement aimed to assuage concerns regarding Ukraine's substantial reliance on U.S. assistance, which constitutes approximately 40% of its military needs.

While Zelenskyy was optimistic about military support, he did not specify the status of humanitarian aid. During their meeting, the leaders also addressed Moldova's pressing energy crisis, exacerbated by the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine at the beginning of the year. Ukraine has offered to supply coal to help mitigate the energy shortfall, as Moldova accuses Russia of orchestrating this crisis to deepen its influence in the region. "Russia’s latest move has been to orchestrate an energy crisis," President Sandu stated, highlighting the dire situation in areas under pro-Russian control.

Amidst ongoing uncertainties regarding U.S. aid, Zelenskyy noted that former President Donald Trump could play a role in negotiating an end to the conflict, provided Ukraine is included in any discussions. He emphasized, "This can only be done with Ukraine, and otherwise it simply will not work because Russia does not want to end the war, and Ukraine does.” This sentiment reflects Zelenskyy’s belief that any negotiations must also consider Ukraine’s interests, amidst Russia's assertions of being "ready for negotiations."

The reality on the ground, however, remains grim. As both Moscow and Kyiv seek battlefield victories to strengthen their bargaining positions, reports indicate that Russian forces continue aggressive offensives in key areas like the Donetsk region. Recent claims from Russia's Defense Ministry suggest they have made inroads into strategically important territories, although these assertions remain unverified. Concurrently, civilian casualties were reported, with three individuals killed in shelling within the Russian-occupied Kherson region.

In the wake of renewed hostilities, Ukrainian air defenses successfully thwarted an assault involving two missiles and 61 Shahed drones, mitigating potential damage in regions such as Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Khmelnytskyi. Mayor Ihor Terekhov of Kharkiv informed that drone strikes affected various districts, leading to casualties and infrastructural damage as rescue efforts continued to assess the situation.

For an in-depth exploration of the ongoing challenges and developments in Ukraine, including U.S. military aid status updates, visit AP News, CBS News, and The Guardian.