As the Kremlin reveled in the failure of Congress to approve new military assistance for Ukraine and U.S. President Joe Biden railed against Republican lawmakers for ¡°kneecapping¡± an ally in its hour of need, Ukrainian soldiers, political leaders and Ukraine¡¯s allies were all left asking the same question Thursday: What happens if the United States stops providing military assistance?

Officials in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy¡¯s government and Ukrainians themselves are still hopeful Congress will ultimately pass an assistance package ¡ª and have been cautious about saying anything that could ensnare them in America¡¯s bitter domestic political battles.

But given the dire consequences if the United States cannot find a way to keep providing military assistance, officials in Kyiv are racing to bolster their nation¡¯s own military capabilities and working to deepen ties with other allies who remain steadfast in their support.