Pausing military aid is the most damaging move the Trump administration can make to Ukraine’s war effort, and however opaque the immediate practical consequence may be, the psychological impact for Ukrainians has been immense and catastrophic.

Ukraine now fully meets its needs for armoured vehicles, mortars, and artillery systems, according to Vladyslav Belbas, the head of leading private defence firm, Ukraine Armour. Domestic factories also supply much of the country’s Soviet-calibre ammunition.

Trump also slammed Zelensky for suggesting that the end of Russia's war against Ukraine likely "is still very, very far away."