Following the news that Donald Trump has paused all military funding to Ukraine, Russia has issued a response.
The decision, which could significantly impact Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, has drawn strong reactions from US allies – and an unexpected endorsement from the Kremlin.
A White House official confirmed the move on Monday, stating that aid would remain on hold unless Zelenskyy agreed to peace negotiations.
“The president has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” the official said per CNN.
The suspension affects all military equipment not yet delivered, including advanced weaponry that has been critical in allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.
While Ukraine’s forces can reportedly maintain their current pace for several weeks, Western officials warn that the long-term consequences could weaken Kyiv’s position and potentially push them into an unfavorable settlement.
The decision follows what insiders have described as a disastrous encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy.
The President berated his Ukrainian counterpart for not showing enough gratitude for US support, making it clear that continued assistance was not guaranteed.
While Trump’s decision has drawn concern from European allies, Russia has been quick to applaud it. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the move the “best contribution to the cause of peace.”
“If this is true, then this is a decision that can really encourage the Kyiv regime to (come to) the peace process,” Peskov said via Reuters.
“It is obvious that the United States has been the main supplier of this war so far. If the United States stops being (an arms supplier) or suspends these supplies, it will probably be the best contribution to the cause of peace.”
Peskov previously addressed the Trump administration’s shifting foreign policy, noting its alignment with Russia’s vision.
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“The new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations,” he said in an interview with Russian state media. “This largely coincides with our vision.”
He also suggested that if Trump and Putin maintain their “political will”, diplomatic progress could be made swiftly.
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, praised Trump’s stance on Ukraine, calling it an example of “common sense”.
In contrast, European leaders have scrambled to reaffirm their support for Ukraine in the wake of Trump’s decision. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a summit with NATO leaders to strategize a response.
A UK government spokesperson reinforced Britain’s commitment, stating: “We remain absolutely committed to securing a lasting peace in Ukraine and are engaging with key allies in support of this effort.”
The spokesperson also announced a new financing arrangement, allowing Ukraine to use £1.6 billion of UK export finance to purchase 5,000 air defense missiles from Belfast. “It is the right thing to do, and is in our interest to do so,” they added via BBC News.
Analysts predict Ukraine could start feeling the impact of the US aid freeze within two to four months, depending on how much aid European nations can provide in the meantime.
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