**Ukraine Bracing for Painful Reduction in US Military Aid After Hegseth Announces Cuts**
The United States’ decision to reduce military aid to Ukraine has sent shockwaves through the country, with lawmakers and soldiers warning of “painful” consequences. The move, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, could have far-reaching impacts on the global order.
According to Ukrainian officials, the reduction in US aid will make it difficult for Kyiv to defend itself against Russian forces. Lawmaker Iryna Friz, a parliamentary committee member on national security, defense, and intelligence, told the Kyiv Independent that Ukraine relies heavily on US military aid and cannot obtain certain capabilities from other Western allies.
“We’re facing a whole range of military aid that we simply can’t get from elsewhere,” Friz said. “Any reduction in these capabilities will be painful.”
Friz emphasized that Ukraine must demonstrate its readiness to strengthen its defense capabilities and increase communication with its partners to continue defending its sovereignty.
Changes in the US approach
The US has shifted its policy towards Ukraine since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Even though Ukraine still receives military aid approved by the Biden administration, Trump has temporarily halted both once, and no new aid packages have been announced in almost five months of his presidency.
“This reduction of military support might undermine our defensive capabilities, which, in turn, might translate into more casualties both among our soldiers and civilians,” lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of the parliament’s foreign affairs policy, told the Kyiv Independent.
The equipment gap
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the US has given Ukraine around $74 billion in military aid. However, under the Trump administration, some weapons intended for Ukrainian troops have been diverted elsewhere.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently expressed disappointment that 20,000 missiles pledged to defend against Shahed-type drones were moved from Ukraine to the Middle East.
“This morning, my defense minister told me that the US has moved them to the Middle East,” Zelensky said in an interview with ABC published on June 8.
Ukrainian soldiers interviewed by The Kyiv Independent criticized Washington’s recent moves but were not surprised. They warned of “dire consequences” for the global order and accused Trump and his team of being “ridiculous cowards.”
What comes next?
In light of the US’s shifting stance, Ukraine’s European allies have pledged to step up military support. However, countries on the continent are dogged by a decades-long underinvestment in defense production capability.
Ukraine is therefore looking for other options, such as developing its own domestic military production and purchasing American weapons with the help of European partners. A Ukrainian delegation led by Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak visited the US to discuss further support for Ukraine’s defense and potential purchases of American weapons.
However, following the Ukrainian delegation’s visit, there has been no further action or response from Washington on potential arms supplies or weapons sales to Ukraine and its allies.
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