When Ukraine is trying to repair broken relations with the US administration, which suddenly stopped military assistance for the built -in country on Monday, Kijv claims that he will be able to maintain a vast front line in the war with Russia.
But those who fight after him are worried about decisions and a tone from Washington.
“It's not just a weapon, it's a symbol of support,” said Roman Kravtov, a Ukrainian soldier who talked to CBC News by phone from the sum of Ukraine, in the northeast of the country near the border with Russia. “When we lose (support), our motivation decreases.”
The decision of the United States, which is the greatest military supporter of Ukraine, is the latest movement of Trump's administration, who tries to continue the promise of the end of the war, exerting emphasis on Ukraine on peace negotiations, including trying to leave it on the battlefield.
The transfer to blocking the parcels took place on Monday, three days After the stock exchange in an oval office Between US President Donald Trump, vice president of JD Vance and President of the Ukrainian Voldymyr Zelenskyy, who wanted to see the security guarantees contained in the contract that would provide partial access to Ukraine minerals.
On Tuesday, a few hours after arresting the flow of weapons, Zelenskyy convened a meeting “worthy of regret” and said that “he wanted to fix”.
The US goes back, Europe is trying to enter
Although the detention of American military assistance is a serious blow, some say that it is probably not fatal, because the own national production of Ukraine has increased along with the parcels of weapons from Europe, which will be set up Organize a special peak dedicated to defense and Ukraine on Thursday.
However, if Trump's administration wanted to continue to put pressure on Ukraine, experts claim that there are levers that could be pulled out, such as withdrawal from recognition and intelligence division, as well as the disturbance of Battlefield communication by cutting Ukraine access to the Starlink satellite system.
33 -year -old Kravtsov from Mykolaiv and volunteered to the army of Ukraine in the summer of 2022, is part of the assault team. He said he was a proud owner of the “beautiful” American M16 rifle, but in autumn his group was equipped with a European firearm.
He said that his team is still using other equipment in the US, including Humvee, which he and others go during a mission to the Russian region Kursk, and believes that the loss of access to shipments in the US will be harmful to Ukraine.
“Of course I'm worried,” said Kravtsov. “But now the drones have changed everything. They are the most dangerous weapon on the battlefield. “
More domestic production
Ukraine claims that it can produce Millions of drones Every year, which is part of a change of war operations, which left KIIV less dependent on the USA
According to Germany Kiel InstituteWashington delivered almost $ 70 billion to Ukraine for “military allocations” from the beginning of the Russian invasion on full scale on February 24, 2022. But the percentage of American equipment for creating Ukraine's supply has dropped over time.
“The United States does not have the same lever as three years ago,” said Oleksandr Kraiev, director of the North America program at Ukrainian Prism, Think Tank with Kijiw.
Kraiev, who talked to CBC News through Zoom, said that, according to national statistics, the United States was produced 76 percent of military materials. Currently, 40 percent of what Ukraine's ground force needs is produced in the country and about 30 percent come from Europe.
Kraiev said that Ukraine now has a much better position than even last spring Ammunition deficiencies and bullets for air defense systems.
“We can deal with artillery ammunition deficiency because we have a lot of stocks,” he said. “Armored vehicles will not be delivered in sufficient numbers, but for now we do not conduct any offensive operations.”
American resources reached by Ukraine
However, Ukraine was largely based on American air defense systems, which became crucial for the protection of Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Tuesday that the US break threatens the country's ability to maintain and repair Patriot rocket systems.
Kraiev said that the order to stop the Trump administration would not affect cooperation between two intelligence and recognition countries, nor no traffic has been carried out to cut off the country's access to an oldink-sittal internet network, which provides coverage on rural Ukraine.
Starlink is the property of Elon Musk, who is a senior adviser to Trump, who runs a new government department.
“We don't hear anything about closing Starlink. I hope that the thumbs will not be on the table, “said Kraiev, adding that the Starlink network is the key to allowing communication along the front line. “This is The most valuable resource of everything that America provides us. “
Eutelsat, a French satellite operator, said he was talking about European governments Ensuring communication ANDN Ukraine.
While conducting a meeting of world leaders in London, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Keir Starmer called for a coalition of willing nations to support Ukraine's defense against Russia. Starmer said that Europe must perform heavy lifting, but would need US support.
Special EU peak
As a result of US, European nations are racing to increase defensive expenses to Ukraine, and the European Union leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss Plan $ 840 billion To strengthen the region's defense and continue to support Ukraine militarily.
While Kraiev said that Europe will inevitably play a greater role in Ukraine, he believes that Kijv can save relations with Washington and that both countries will work on the new version of the mineral agreement.
“Trump is still very interested in the Ukrainian economy. He is very interested in specialization, “said Kraiev.
“It is known that he is quite narcissistic, egocentric megalomaniac, but it is fine. We know how to work with it. “