Trump suspended US aid, Kiev says Ukraine's army can stand in front

Ukraine said Tuesday that its forces could keep the situation under control in the field of battle until they struggle with Russian troops despite a pause in US military aid and hope to continue working with Washington pragmatically.

Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal's statement was the first official by Kiev after US President Donald Trump surprised Ukrainians by cutting off the supply of US military aid that has been essential to Kiev since Russia's invasion in 2022, Reuters writes.

Our “and government have skills, tools, let's say, to keep the situation on the front line”.

Comments, in which Shmyhal thanked the US and stressed that Kiev wanted a mutually beneficial co-operation, seemed intended to preserve a normal view, as Kiev's once key ally continues to change his policies.

“We will continue to work with the US through all channels available in a calm way”, Shmyhal said at a press conference.

Russian forces, which already control about a fifth of Ukraine, have been putting pressure to the east for more than a year and conducting regular missile and intimidation attacks.

However, he acknowledged that US military assistance was critical for Ukraine and that it had helped save thousands of lives.

He said there was a danger to overhauling, maintenance and general supplies for the American Patriot air defence, which he described as the only system capable of deterring Russian ballistic missile attacks.

He added that Ukraine was willing to sign an mineral agreement with the United States, which was questioned after US President Donald Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskiy deteriorated last Friday.