US resumes military aid to Ukraine What made Washington change course
11 March 20:59
On March 11, 2025, the United States announced the immediate resumption of military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, which was a turning point in US policy after months of diplomatic maneuvers. This was reported by Komersant ukrainskyi with reference to the AR.
The decision was made after high-level talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where the two sides tried to find common ground on a framework for future negotiations with Russia.
The media reports that the decision of the US representatives cancels the previous suspension of aid. Donald Trump’s administration had suspended military aid initially, citing the need to encourage Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be more involved in diplomatic decisions. However, recent developments, including Ukraine’s conditional acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire proposal, have forced Washington to adjust its position.
Why did the US suspend aid in the first place?
The temporary suspension of military aid was part of a broader strategy aimed at “pushing Ukraine to engage diplomatically with Russia” and exploring potential ways to de-escalate the situation. Washington noted that the continuation of unconditional support depends on whether Ukraine demonstrates its willingness to negotiate, in particular on the “disputed” territories (meaning the territories of Ukraine currently under the control of the Russian armed forces – ed.)
Resumption of assistance to Ukraine: what factors contributed to this?
Some U.S. government officials and NATO allies have warned that reducing support for Ukraine could embolden Russian troops, allowing them to advance further on the front and occupy new territory. Republican leaders, including Donald Trump, have argued that military aid should be tied to clear diplomatic goals rather than open-ended commitments.
According to experts, another factor that could have pushed official Washington to resume logistical assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces was the resumption of Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure
In the days preceding the talks in Saudi Arabia, Russian troops intensified attacks on Ukrainian energy and military infrastructure. Air strikes targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, damaging power plants and logistics hubs. The renewed aggression has increased Ukraine’s need for immediate military support to protect its critical infrastructure.
In addition, as political scientists and military experts point out, the United States remains committed to preventing Ukraine from becoming a frozen conflict like Georgia or Transnistria. The resumption of military aid shows that Washington is unwilling to allow Russia to dictate terms unilaterally and wants to preserve Ukraine’s ability to defend itself by negotiating from a position of strength.
What kind of military assistance will Ukraine receive?
Although details of specific arms shipments remain classified, sources indicate that the renewed assistance will include
- air defense systems. Additional Patriot and NASAMS systems to counter Russian missile and drone strikes;
- long-range artillery and ammunition. HIMARS missile systems and guided artillery shells to support Ukraine’s counteroffensive;
- armored vehicles. A new batch of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and possibly additional Abrams tanks;
- support for surveillance and reconnaissance. Restoration of access to real-time satellite imagery and electronic warfare intelligence, which was previously limited.
How resumption of arms supplies to Kyiv will affect peace talks
The resumption of U.S. military assistance does not necessarily mean an end to diplomatic efforts. On the contrary, Washington sees it as a means to ensure that Ukraine can negotiate from a position of strength, preventing Russia from using military pressure as a bargaining tool.
However, there are still significant obstacles to a lasting peace agreement:
- russia has not yet agreed to Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and continues offensive operations;
- moscow is demanding territorial concessions, which Ukraine has repeatedly rejected;
- the role of NATO and security guarantees for Ukraine remain unresolved, complicating the negotiation process.
