Republicans Warn Prolonged Aid Halt Could Weaken Ukraine’s War Effort

Republican lawmakers are beginning to urge U.S. President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to suspend American military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, The Hill reported on March 7.

The Hill stated that lawmakers believe Trump had the right to temporarily halt arms deliveries to Ukraine to assess the course of the war, pressure NATO allies, and create an opportunity for negotiations on a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.

According to the news agency, the Republicans caution that prolonging the halt in weapons and munitions shipments to Ukraine could severely weaken its combat capabilities, diminishing its leverage in negotiations with Russia.

“It’s a concern for the Ukrainian people. I worry more about how people on the battlefield feel about it,” Senator Thom Tillis said of the pause on U.S. military shipments.

“I know it’s hard for the people in Ukraine. I was just there two weeks ago,” Tillis added.

Tillis stated that Ukraine currently has enough weapons and munitions to hold the front line but expressed hope that the pause in military aid would be brief.

“I’m hoping and praying that it’s short-lived,” he said. “I think it will be.”

On March 3, Trump announced a pause in military assistance to Ukraine. Later Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that information from the border and the U.S. aid hub in Jasionka confirms reports of the pause in American assistance to Ukraine.

On March 5, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that the United States has temporarily halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg has backed President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily halt military aid to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Associated Press reported on March 7.