Kyiv residents expressed disappointment on Wednesday (July 2) following the news of the partial U.S. military aid halt but said they were not surprised, citing months of political uncertainty in Washington.

The Pentagon has paused some shipments of air defence missiles and precision munitions to Ukraine, citing concerns over dwindling U.S. stockpiles, sources familiar with the decision said.

The slowing of some weapons shipments includes air defence interceptors to help knock down Russian drones and projectiles, the sources said.

"I somehow expected this," said culture manager Nastya Ishchenko.

Others voiced concern for their safety, with one resident saying she is already considering leaving Kyiv, and that a lack of air defences due do the aid freeze meant she'd definitely leave the capital.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

KYIV, UKRAINE (JULY 2, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF 'GOLDEN GATE' MEDIEVAL CITY GATES IN CENTRAL KYIV

2. ST. SOPHIA CATHEDRAL CHURCH TOWER

3. PEOPLE CROSSING STREET

4. PEOPLE WALKING PAST GOLDEN GATE

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) CULTURE PROGRAM MANAGER, NASTYA ISHCHENKO, 32 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"I'm not surprised to be honest. I somehow expected this, especially given the developments over the past three or four months. We cooperate with our European partners, so I think that our leadership saw it coming, and the unstable behaviour of (U.S. President Donald) Trump and his team and their infights."

6. ISHCHENKO AND HER DOG LEAVING

7. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAITING AT COFFEE PLACE

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) LAWYER, OKSANA KUROCHKINA, 35 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"If we end up in a situation where there's no air defence left, I will move (out of Kyiv), because my safety is my first concern. I am already having thoughts about moving out now."

9. MAN CROSSING STREET

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) ACCOUNTANT, ANNA SHERSTNYOVA, 47 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"I believe that the USA have become an unreliable partner. I'm still thankful to them for the aid they provided at the beginning of the war."

11. PEOPLE DRINKING COFFEE

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) ACCOUNTANT, ANNA SHERSTNYOVA, 47 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"It's the choice of the US, so be it. This cannot be a reason for us to let our hands down and not continue fighting until the end."

13. VARIOUS OF PENSIONER, HENNADII MANUKALOV, 63 YEARS OLD SITTING ON BENCH

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) PENSIONER, HENNADII MANUKALOV, 63 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"It will get only worse. They put it on a halt for now, but they can cease (their aid) all together. I don't know. Don't expect good things."

15. PEOPLE WALKING IN PARK

16. PEOPLE ON E-SCOOTERS CROSSING STREET

17. PEOPLE CROSSING STREET

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) I.T. SPECIALIST, SERHII (NO SURNAME GIVEN), 22 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"It is a very bad thing for us because even before that (announcement), we had already started to face a problem with repelling drones and missiles. I cannot imagine what will happen when we run out of our entire stockpile."

19. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET, FLOWERS

20. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) DESIGNER, OLEKSANDR BABYUK, 54 YEARS OLD, SAYING:

"We are running out of (air defence) stockpile and we need aid. Unfortunately, there is no alternative to Patriot missiles for shooting down Kinzhal missiles (air-surface ballistic missiles used by Russia)."

21. PEOPLE CROSSING STREET

22. VARIOUS OF MILITARY RECRUITMENT ADVERTISEMENT

23. GOLDEN GATE