After President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky had a dispute in the Oval Office, and the long-debated critical mineral deal was put on hold, Ukraine and its allies in Europe grew more concerned that the White House would halt support for the Ukrainian army.
Their worries were realized when the Trump administration suspended all US military aid to Ukraine. That included intelligence sharing and deliveries of heavy equipment, ammunition, and armored vehicles. The order reportedly applied even to equipment in transit or waiting at transit hubs in Poland.
Ukrainians immediately felt the consequences of that decision. The armed forces were left in the dark without the US intelligence crucial for the operations on the battlefield, and Russia emboldened by the news of the arms supply freeze intensified its attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
US aid to Ukraine: Following the US aid freeze, Russian forces struck residential buildings in Dobropillia, Donetsk region, killing eleven civilians and injuring 30. Photo: Ukraine's State Emergency Service
As shocking as the US aid freeze was, the situation changed again just a week later. On March 10, after Ukraine–US talks in Saudi Arabia and Ukraine agreeing to a possible 30-day ceasefire, the US resumed military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
While the entire international community wonders if Russia agrees to these terms and still worries about whether the Trump administration changes its mind again, we'll ground ourselves in facts.
The US has allocated billions in military aid to Ukraine since 2022, and the way war events have developed in the past three years shows how important US aid to Ukraine is. But which weapons and resources are the most unique and vital for Ukraine's defense? Rubryka explains.
How much military aid did the US provide to Ukraine?
Since February 2022 and until Trump took office, the Biden administration made 34 announcements in which the United States collectively committed $86 billion (over €64 billion) in military aid to Ukraine. The last package — much debated and postponed many times — was approved by the US Congress in April 2024.
US aid to Ukraine: The United States is a top military aid supplier for Ukraine in terms of funding. Source: Reuters
During the three years of the full-scale war, the United States used three sources to fulfill this commitment to Ukraine:
- Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which the US has used to send equipment and supplies from its stockpiles quickly to the front line. The allocated funds are used to replace equipment sent to Ukraine;
- Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a fund the United States created in 2015 to strengthen Ukraine's defense. Under this initiative, the Pentagon signs long-term contracts with manufacturers to produce new weapons, which are delivered to Ukraine, and spends funds on training, maintenance of equipment, and intelligence;
- Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program that provides grants and loans to partner countries to buy American weapons and other supplies. Ukraine signs contracts directly with US producers, and the US pays the checks.
Experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), an independent think tank based in Washington, D.C., analyzed the defense department's budget documents for US aid to Ukraine.
Their report states that some equipment, especially under PDA, is delivered quickly. On the other hand, weapons and supplies produced from scratch under the USAI initiative take longer to be shipped to Ukraine. Some are still being manufactured or in transit.
In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, President Zelensky stated that $46 of the $77 billion worth of military equipment allocated under PDA and USAI arrived in Ukraine.
What US military aid is the most important for Ukraine?
President Zelensky stated in early February 2025 that the United States supplies Ukraine with 30% of its military capabilities. The same chunk of support comes from the European and other global allies, and Ukraine itself meets 40% of needs, producing drones, artillery, and electronic warfare systems.
"You can imagine what would happen to us without this crucial 30 percent," said Zelensky.
US aid to Ukraine: An American Patriot air defense system in Rzeszow, Poland. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Imagesv
The United States is a unique military aid supplier because it sends Ukraine weapons and resources most partners can't. What does that include?
1. US intelligence sharing and satellite data
The United States has one of the most far-reaching intelligence networks and the most developed satellite grids globally. American intelligence data gives the Ukrainian army clues for long-term strategic planning and alerts Ukraine's air defense to the movements of bomber jets Russia uses to carry out long-range rocket strikes.
It also provides needed information about military facilities deep in Russian territory and the movements of Russian forces in occupied territories so Ukraine can perform drone attacks and operations on the front and in Russia.
According to experts, other friends of Ukraine lack the resources to make up for these American capabilities if frozen.
2. US air defense systems
Since the first Patriot air defense system arrived on the Ukrainian soil, Ukraine has leaned on this American shield to protect its cities from deadly Russian rocket strikes. The Patriot, one of the most advanced systems in the world, can down the fastest and "undefeatable" ballistic rockets Russia has in its arsenal.
Ukraine can also defend its people with the American-made HAWK and NASAMS air defense systems the United States developed with Norway. These systems intercept cruise missiles launched by Russian forces at a closer range, like warships stationed in the Black Sea.
US aid to Ukraine: NASAMS is National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System or Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System. Photo: Kongsberg
17 NASAMS, Patriot and HAWK batteries supplied by US prevent hundreds of civilian deaths and millions of damage to Ukraine's infrastructure daily. US aid to Ukraine has ensured their maintenance and the flow of rockets for the batteries.
As soon as concerns about the Trump administration halting US military aid spread, military experts and Ukrainian officials warned that it would impact Ukraine's defense against Russian missiles and put hundreds of civilian lives under bigger threat.
3. Long-range rockets
US long-range rockets have been vital for Ukraine in repelling Russian forces on the front line and pushing them back from occupied territories. The HIMARS rockets extended the Ukrainian army's fire reach and supported successful counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson regions.
When the United States secretly shipped the ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in April 2024, and then allowed it to use them to protect the Kharkiv region a month later, the hands of the Ukrainian army were untied to strike military targets, including military bases, airfields, and ammunition depots, on Russian territory on a 300-km range.
Since then, the Ukrainian armed forces used this permission to their advantage, attacking the most important Russian facilities with valuable aircraft and rockets.
4. Heavy weapons
The United States has also been Ukraine's largest sole supplier of heavy weapons. According to the Kiel Institute, Americans allocated 45 overhauled T-72 and 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks, 352 Bradley armored vehicles, and 2,000 Humvee multi-purpose vehicles to Ukraine's forces to improve mobility and logistics.
US aid to Ukraine: The 47th Magura Separate Mechanized Brigade's Bradley vehicle near a front line in the Zaporizhzhia region. Photo: Serhii Nuzhnenko/Reuters
While Abrams tanks proved vulnerable to Russian air attacks on the front line and were pulled back by Ukrainian military leadership, Bradley fighting vehicles greatly supported Ukraine in slowing down Russian forces on the eastern front. Ukrainian soldiers praised Bradleys for their armor, targeting, and firepower and said they help them eliminate Russian tanks. Other service members said they owed their lives to Bradley vehicles.
According to Jonathan Beale, BBC defense correspondent, the US has provided so many armored vehicles "that smaller European armies could never match."
What is the future of US aid to Ukraine?
US aid to Ukraine: Activists urged European leaders to seize frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's defense in Brussels following the US military aid freeze. Photo: Yves Herman/Reuters
So far, the future of US aid to Ukraine is uncertain. First, the White House halts it and states that President Trump "is focused on peace," and then a week later, renews it. Can the US suspend its support once again? Everything is possible.
Meanwhile, Europeans expressed their unwavering support for Ukraine and worked together to provide more military assistance to the Ukrainian army. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on Europe's wake-up call at a March 7 defense summit in Brussels:
"Europe must take up this challenge, this arms race. And it must win it."
What has been announced so far?
- The UK hosted the summit of European allies, during which British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Ukraine would receive £1.6 billion (about $2 billion) to purchase more than 5,000 air defense missiles. Britain also signed a $38 million deal to supply Ukraine with drones.
- The Netherlands pledged €700 million for drone production and said it was considering a €3.5 billion aid package for Ukraine.
- The EU wants to increase defense spending in all member states by investing €800 million and give Ukraine a €150 million loan for military needs.
- Nordic and Baltic countries teased new Ukraine military support packages.
- European service members developed a Sky Shield plan to protect Ukraine's airspace from Russian attacks.
More is likely to come. Europe is united and Ukraine is not alone. Hopefully, the United States will continue to be there for Ukraine, too.
