Zelensky ordered to get official information from U.S. about suspending military aid

The President made this statement in his evening video address, as reported by Ukrinform.

“Today, many people have the same question: what will happen next with U.S. assistance? I have instructed Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, the heads of our intelligence agencies, and our diplomats to contact their counterparts in the United States and obtain official information. People should not have to guess. Ukraine and America deserve a respectful dialogue and a clear position from one another. Especially when it comes to protecting lives during a full-scale war. Of course, in Ukraine, we have been receiving various signals for weeks now, and there has already been a precedent for aid being halted. There was a suspension of humanitarian aid, of energy aid. There was also a halt in military aid – at the end of January, but at that time, everything was quickly resumed. We saw the risks. Therefore, our agencies – both military and special services – managed to develop action algorithms for any developments in the situation. This is not 2022 anymore. Our resilience is stronger now. We have the means to defend ourselves. But for us, maintaining normal, partnership-based relations with America is essential to bringing the war to a real end,” Zelensky emphasized.

The head of state noted that no one in Ukraine wants an endless war.

“Ukraine will always be grateful to the U.S. for all the support that has been and is being provided, and which is working to preserve the now rather fragile foundations of security in Europe. After all, this is not just about our country. It is about everyone in Europe. We seek constructive cooperation. Partnership-based relations. We can only regret what happened at the White House instead of our negotiations. But we must find the strength to move forward, to respect one another, just as we have always respected America, Europe, and all our partners, and to do everything together to bring peace closer. And I thank everyone who is supporting Ukraine in this effort,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky reminded that on March 4, he had telephone conversations with the President of Finland, the Prime Minister of the UK, the Prime Minister of Greece, the Prime Minister of Croatia, the NATO Secretary General, and the leader of the German CDU party, Friedrich Merz.

“Clear support for Ukraine. Thank you. There is very important news from the European Commission about significant funds for Europe’s defense. For us, this primarily means additional air defense – more systems, more missiles, and increased ability to protect our cities and villages, our positions. And all of this creates a solid additional foundation for efforts to bring the war to an end. We will continue consultations, and new joint steps will follow. Ukraine deserves peace. Ukrainians deserve respect,” the President emphasized.

Lastly, Zelensky stressed the need to stay united and cohesive in the face of the enemy’s threat.

“And one last thing. We know that the Russians have not changed their positions or demands regarding Ukraine. They will insist on reducing our army, they will seek a legal renunciation of our territories, as well as a significant political deformation of Ukraine with the weakening of the Ukrainian Constitution. But I will say that, in fact, as long as we all in Ukraine stand together and stand strong, as long as we are here, no one will succeed in this – peace will be dignified. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelensky concluded.

As reported earlier, on March 4, Zelensky stated that Ukraine seeks reliable peace and is ready to negotiate as soon as possible. He also proposed the first steps for a ceasefire — the release of prisoners, an immediate ceasefire in the sky: a ban on missiles, long-range drones, and the bombing of energy and other civilian infrastructure — and an immediate ceasefire at sea if Russia does the same.