US President Donald Trump has gone all in with his effort to strongarm Kyiv into peace negotiations with Russia, suspending US military aid to Ukraine with immediate effect. The move has sent shockwaves through the Western world and left Ukraine and its allies scrambling.

The directive, which takes effect immediately, affects more than $1 billion in arms and ammunition in the pipelines and on order.

Washington's suspension of military assistance will not lead to a sudden collapse of Ukraine's defensive lines, but it could have a real impact on the war within months, undermining air defences and precision strike capabilities in particular.