KYIV, Ukraine (AP) 鈥 Ukrainians welcomed President Donald Trump鈥檚 pledge of more U.S.-made weapons in their fight against Russia鈥檚 invasion, even though it is unclear what exactly they will get and how quickly.
The time frame for further arms deliveries that European countries is crucial.
Russia is making a to break through along the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, and its drones and missiles are more than at any time in the past three years.
Ukrainian officials have made no direct comment about Trump's decision to allow Russia 50 days to reach a deal to end the war, or face what he said would be 鈥渧ery severe鈥 economic sanctions. While some believe strict tariffs on Moscow could be a game changer, the postponement until September struck others as being too long.
For Russia, Trump's delay of new sanctions is a reprieve. Senior Russian lawmaker Konstantin Kosachev commented: 鈥淥h, how much can change both on the battlefield and with the mood of those leading the U.S. and NATO in 50 days.鈥
Russian state television pointed out that Trump鈥檚 decision would bring a bigger financial burden for Europe.
Russia currently holds about 20% of Ukraine. Ukraine's depleted army has recently been losing more territory, but there is no sign of a looming collapse on the front line, analysts say.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke to Trump after the Republican leader鈥檚 Monday, expressing gratitude for the decision to send more that are vital to defend Ukrainian cities.
鈥淲e discussed 鈥 the necessary measures and decisions to provide greater protection for people from Russian attacks and strengthen our positions,鈥 Zelenskyy said on Telegram. 鈥淲e agreed to talk more often and coordinate our steps in the future.鈥
Trump and Zelenskyy have had a notoriously , and Washington鈥檚 consent to providing more weaponry has eased Kyiv鈥檚 worries.
Even so, some Ukrainians felt the U.S. decision won鈥檛 alter the course of the war.
鈥淚f we take the situation as a whole, it hardly looks like this will fundamentally change anything,鈥 Kyiv resident Oles Oliinyk, 33, told The Associated Press.
Nina Tokar, 70, was also skeptical. 鈥淚 have very little faith in (Trump). He says one thing today, and tomorrow he may say something else.鈥
A Ukrainian army officer fighting in Ukraine鈥檚 northeastern Kharkiv region said the 50-day delay on sanctions 鈥渋s a very long time.鈥
鈥淭hey (the Russians) will say, 鈥楪ive us two more weeks,鈥 and then in two weeks, 鈥楪ive us another week.鈥 It will drag on until October or November,鈥 he told AP, using only the call sign 鈥淐at鈥 in keeping with the rules of the Ukrainian military.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp agreed. 鈥淚 do believe that the 50 days that Mr Trump has announced is rather long. It鈥檚 up to September 2. I think that鈥檚 rather long.鈥
Much remains to be worked out about how the weapons, especially the Patriot systems, will be provided, Denmark鈥檚 Foreign Minister Lars L酶kke Rasmussen said in Brussels on Tuesday.
But, in an indication that Europe is relieved that the U.S. hasn't walked away from the conflict, he added: 鈥淭he most important thing is that we now have an American readiness to deliver these most needed weapons.鈥
Some European countries, such as Hungary and Slovakia, still rely heavily on Russia for energy supplies and could be hit hard by Trump鈥檚 threatened secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil and gas 鈥 an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister K臋stutis Budrys said Trump鈥檚 50-day delay was a 鈥渟ignal for Europe to prepare ourselves, because we still have some member states that are exposed to imports of oil and oil products from Russia.鈥
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said it remains to be seen whether Trump鈥檚 announcement will be a turnaround but 鈥渨hat is decisive is that the tone has changed.鈥 The president's threat to impose sanctions after 50 days is 鈥渟ignificant progress,鈥 Pistorius told ARD television.
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Cook reported from Brussels.
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