• Ukraine requests clarity from the US after announced halt in arms shipments.
• Moscow sees an opportunity for a quicker end to the conflict.
• Ukrainian residents express fears over the impact of reduced US support.

Ukraine has formally appealed to the United States for clarification after a White House announcement caught it off guard regarding the halting of some weapons shipments to the war-torn nation. The Ukrainian defense ministry expressed that it had "not received any official notifications" concerning the reduction of vital military aid, which is crucial for its defense capabilities against Russia's ongoing attacks, according to Dawn, Le Monde, and India Times.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of continued US support for Ukraine’s defense as in the country's common interest. He stated that "now is not the time for weak decisions," highlighting Kyiv's urgent need for more interceptors and military systems, amidst fears of increased Russian aggression, according to Le Monde and India Times.

The Kremlin responded positively to the news of reduced aid, asserting that fewer weapons deliveries to Ukraine would bring the war closer to an end. Russian officials have indicated that any slowdown in US support could critically impair Ukraine's ability to counter escalating aerial bombardments and frontline advancements by Russian forces, according to Dawn and India Times.

Ukrainian residents, fearing the repercussions of reduced military assistance, expressed deep concerns regarding the current situation. Yevgenia Prysiazhna, a Kyiv resident, noted that the situation could become “even more scary, even more painful, and even more civilians will suffer” as attacks from Russian forces intensify, as detailed by Dawn and Le Monde.

As Ukraine continues to rely heavily on US military support, there are apprehensions regarding the potential for further aid cuts, especially following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. During Trump’s previous term, he criticized the extensive military aid provided by the US to Ukraine, raising anxieties about the future of support under his leadership, a concern shared by military analysts and reported by Dawn, Le Monde, and India Times.