Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he had not received any warnings regarding the plans of the United States to reduce military aid to Ukraine for the next year. He shared this in an interview with the American television channel Newsmax, commenting on the relevant statement made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Zelensky’s statement on the reduction of aid
The head of state emphasized that he learned about the possible reduction of military support from statements made by official representatives of the U.S. He expressed hope that these messages would remain just signals and would not be confirmed in practice. Zelensky particularly stressed the importance of President Donald Trump not supporting the Secretary of Defense’s words with real actions.
“I was not informed in advance. I really hope that these signals are just signals. After all, we understand who is the main one in the house, so it is very important that President Trump does not confirm the Secretary’s words with his actions,” Zelensky said.
He added that he plans to discuss this issue with Donald Trump during the G7 summit, which will take place on June 17 in Canada.
The impact of possible aid reduction
The President emphasized that the statement by the U.S. Secretary of Defense was painful for him, as, according to him, it negatively affects the morale of Ukrainians. Zelensky expressed concern that such statements could create a sense of isolation for a nation that is resisting a military force like Russia.
He stressed that the aid packages from the U.S. contain vital components without which it would be very difficult for Ukraine to defend itself. According to the President, Kyiv is ready to seek additional funds from European countries to purchase weapons, including Patriot systems, which are particularly important for protecting the civilian population. Zelensky reported that negotiations are ongoing with European partners regarding the financing of such systems, and there are already some positive developments. However, the implementation of these plans requires the approval of President Trump.
It is worth noting that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced during hearings in the House of Representatives on June 10 the intention of the United States to reduce the budget for arms procurement for Ukraine in 2026.