The change is astonishing. That the USA in this way stabs an ally in the back, says Jan Hallenberg, professor emeritus in political science affiliated with the Foreign Policy Institute.
He believes that the USA is now making a significant change in its foreign policy course.
The USA's message will gradually weaken Ukraine's military capability. They will certainly manage for a few months, but in the long run, the Russians will gain the upper hand if it continues.
Mineral agreement in focus
The message comes after last week's chaotic meeting between Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenskyj and the USA's President Donald Trump at the White House. At the meeting, they were supposed to agree on a deal on Ukrainian natural resources in exchange for American protection.
The agreement is like a signal from Zelenskyj to Trump: "I accept that you will get a certain compensation for your help".
During the visit, the presidents got into a long and heated argument in front of rolling cameras. Trump accused Zelenskyj of "gambling with a third world war" and demanded that he show gratitude. The meeting ended with Trump sending Zelenskyj home - without any agreement being reached.
Not even Dag Blanck, professor of North American Studies at Uppsala University, is surprised by the decision, since Trump has long shown himself to be skeptical of Ukraine.
One should take what he says seriously. But it is clear that pausing arms deliveries is a very significant change.
Trump was challenged by Zelenskyj, which created problems. Trump's promise during the election campaign was that he would end the war through agreements, which did not happen. It certainly plays a major role that Trump could not reach any agreement.
Must apologize
But Trump's message is no trial balloon, believes Hallenberg.
He wants to show that he is the most powerful and that he will get his solution through. The only possibility is if Europe comes up with a very concrete peace plan that Ukraine and the USA can accept. But I assess the likelihood of that as low.
In order for Ukraine to gain access to American weapons again, it will probably require some form of apology.
