Ukraine has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s choice to stop military assistance, with a senior official cautioning that this action could coerce Kyiv into capitulating to Russia.
“The aid freeze appears very unfavorable. It seems as if he is steering Kyiv toward submission,” remarked the chair of Ukraine’s Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee during an interview with Reuters.
The decision, disclosed by a White House official on Monday, is perceived as an attempt by Trump to compel Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to engage in peace discussions with Russia. The sudden halt has alarmed Kyiv and its European partners, heightening concerns about Ukraine’s defense capabilities amid ongoing Russian hostility.
Tensions Escalate Over Trump’s Choice
Trump, recognized for his skepticism regarding extended US military aid to Ukraine, had suggested a potential review when asked by journalists. The formal announcement of the freeze has raised worries in both Kyiv and Washington.
“The President has clearly stated that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to share that commitment as well,” a White House official informed AFP on the condition of anonymity. “We are pausing and assessing our aid to ensure it contributes to a solution. ”
According to The New York Times, the freeze impacts hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons and military support already allocated for Ukraine. The decision has attracted severe backlash from Congressional Democrats, who contend that it undermines US commitments.
“My Republican colleagues who have labeled Putin a war criminal and vowed their ongoing support to Ukraine must join me in insisting President Trump revoke this disastrous and illegal freeze without delay,” stated Representative Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Trump Cautions Zelensky Amid Diplomatic Tension
While speaking at the White House, Trump voiced his dissatisfaction with Zelensky, asserting that the Ukrainian leader ought to show more “appreciation” for US support. He also cautioned that unless a ceasefire with Moscow is achieved, Zelensky “won’t be around very long. ”
Zelensky replied cautiously, reiterating Ukraine’s dedication to swiftly concluding the war while emphasizing the necessity for robust security assurances.
“It was the absence of security guarantees for Ukraine 11 years ago that permitted Russia to commence the occupation of Crimea and the war in Donbas. Subsequently, the lack of security guarantees enabled Russia to execute a full-scale invasion,” Zelensky stated in a video address.
European Allies Rush to React
The US aid freeze has initiated urgent conversations among European leaders. Britain and France are reportedly contemplating a one-month ceasefire proposal, which may be supported by military enforcement.
Friedrich Merz, who is likely to become Germany’s next chancellor, described Trump’s decision as a “deliberate escalation” that could embolden Russia and weaken Ukraine’s defense.
French junior minister for Europe, Benjamin Haddad, also denounced the move, stating, “Fundamentally, if you desire peace, does a decision to suspend arms to Ukraine promote peace, or does it drive it further away? It makes it more distant because it only strengthens the aggressor’s position on the ground, which is Russia. ”
With Ukraine’s defenses at risk and European leaders seeking other options, the freeze on aid poses a threat to alter the geopolitical landscape of the conflict.
