Donald Trump’s decision to suspend all military aid to Ukraine will have an effect within days, a Ukrainian MP has warned.
Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, told The Independent: “My main concern is the lack of missiles for air defences to protect Ukrainian cities," he said. "The Russians will use this opportunity to intensify attacks. This is why Trump's decision is so dangerous."
He said that impact will be felt across the country “in the coming days”.
"It will embolden Putin," Mr Merezhko added. "Putin will exploit this opportunity. He might also try to intensify offensives on the frontline. That is why it is so dangerous.”
Fellow MP Oleksiy Goncharenko said the decision to pause military aid will be “catastrophic” and "thousands of people will die" as a result.
The Kremlin has welcomed the suspension of aid.
A Trump administration official said the US president was focused on reaching a peace deal to end the war, and wanted Mr Zelensky "committed" to that goal. The US was “pausing and reviewing” its aid, the official added, to "ensure that it is contributing to a solution”.
Key Points
- Ukraine MP says Putin will exploit Trump's aid suspension to intensify attacks
- Trump's military aid cut will hit frontline 'within days', Ukrainian MP wanrs
- Ukrainian PM says Ukraine ready to sign minerals deal
- Kremlin: Pausing US military aid is best hope for peace
- 'He is pushing us towards capitulation': European politicians react
What has Donald Trump decided over US weapons to Ukraine?
07:38
,
Chris Stevenson
The presidential order to suspend all current American military aid to Ukraine takes effect immediately and includes all US military equipment not currently in Ukraine, including weapons in transit and at depots in Poland.
The pause will affect more than $1bn (£790m) in arms and ammunition, including missiles, vehicles and key shells used to keep Vladimir Putin’s forces at bay.
After the explosive clash with Ukraine's President Zelensky in the Oval Office last week, Donald Trump has said that he thinks Ukraine's leader should be more appreciative of the assistance he has already received from the US – and made clear that he does not believe Zelensky is ready to discuss a peace deal with Russia.
The last time there was a delay in US aid to Ukraine, as Trump-supporting politicians in Congress held up the sign-off of an extension worth tens of billions of dollars, Ukrainian units on the frontline had to work to conserve ammunition in particular – leaving them vulnerable to increased attacks.
'This is about saving lives'
14:19
,
Chris Stevenson
Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, told The Independent that Donald Trump's decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine was "dangerous" but praised the UK for its staunch support for Ukraine:
"The UK has proven a reliable friend and partner when Ukraine needed you most.. and you can be helpful for re-stablishing relationships with the US".
"Looking at the silver lining in this huge cloud, we can count on support from European allies, particularly the UK and France," Mr Merezhko added.
The Ukrainian MP also had a message for Mr Trump, urging him to restart aid deliveries: "It is not about money, it is about human lives. This kind of weaponry you give to Ukraine is to save lives."
Trump has fully embraced Russia’s war fantasy, but there’s a hidden trap for Putin
14:13
,
Bryony Gooch
The American president and his VP, JD Vance, are doing all the hard work for Russia – even scuppering their own minerals deal in the process.
As Europe and Nato face a shift in global alliances, the real test for the “coalition of the unwilling” will be when the time to act comes, says Keir Giles.
Ukraine MP says Putin will exploit Trump's aid suspension to intensify attacks
14:12
,
Chris Stevenson
Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, told The Independent that the impact from Donald Trump's decision could have an effect on the battlefield "within days".
"I don't know for how long supplies will last... my main concern is the lack of missiles for air defences to protect Ukrainian cities," he said. "The Russians will use this opportunity to intensify attacks. This is why Trump's decision is so dangerous."
"It will embolden Putin," Mr Merezhko added. "Putin will exploit this opportunity. He might also try to intensify offensives on the frontline. That is why it is so dangerous. The chances are it will happen."
"When you cut [military aid] off, you help only Putin." Mr Merezhko said.
UK considers 'all options' as Sunak demands Russian assets to be seized
14:03
,
Bryony Gooch
Rachel Reeves has insisted “all options” are being considered after former PM Rishi Sunak urged the Government to help Ukraine by seizing frozen Russian assets.
Speaking at Treasury questions, Conservative MP Mr Sunak told the House of Commons: “Events overnight make it even clearer that Europe must find considerably more resources for Ukraine.
“The Chancellor has rightly continued our policy of using the interest on frozen Russian state assets to benefit Ukraine, but I believe now is the moment to go further and to actually seize those assets.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine violates the principle of sovereign equality providing a basis in international law for this and by acting in concert with our allies we can ensure there are no risks to financial stability.
“So can I urge the Chancellor to push for co-ordinated action to seize those frozen Russian state assets, give that money to the Ukrainians so that they can defend their country and rebuild it too?”
Miss Reeves replied: “Last week we expanded the sanctions on Russia, including looking at the financial services. This week we’ve both signed off a UK EF (export finance) package to provide more military support above and beyond our defence spending, as well as that loan repaid by the profits of those assets.
“As the Prime Minister said yesterday, we would look at going further but as (Mr Sunak) knows it is incredibly complicated to do that in line with international law, but we keep all options on the table because (Mr Sunak) is absolutely right, Russia should pay for the damage that Russia has caused.”
Hungarian prime minister to talk Ukraine with Macron ahead of EU summit
13:54
,
Bryony Gooch
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that he sees more chance of finding ways to cooperate on common EU security than on Ukraine ahead of an European Union leaders summit on Thursday. He said he would meet French President Emmanuel Macron to talk about Ukraine on Wednesday.
He told reporters that he’d had a phone call with US president Donald Trump on Sunday where they discussed “everything.”
Analysis | No 10 refuses to deny UK blindsided after it emerged Starmer spoke to Trump last night
13:49
,
Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor
Downing Street has announced that Keir Starmer spoke to Donald Trump on Monday night, just hours before it emerged the US president had paused military aid to Ukraine.
No 10 did not deny that the UK was "blindsided" by the move.
Sir Keir is in almost daily contact with the White House and the US president.
But, it seems, his discussions with Trump are not having the impact he would want.
Analysis | PM forced to hit back at the US – after JD Vance disrespects British troops
13:38
,
Kate Devlin
For weeks, Keir Starmer has been walking a diplomatic tightrope.
The prime minister has been attempting to keep the US onside by not rising to every provocation coming from the other side of the Atlantic.
But today he was forced to intervene – after JD Vance attacked British troops.
The vice president has been condemned for disrespecting British veterans after he appeared to describe the UK as “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years”.
The PM hit back, with his official spokesman saying Sir Keir was “full of admiration” for the “courage and bravery” of Britain’s Armed Forces.
Voices | Donald Trump isn’t done with twisting the knife into Ukraine
13:29
,
Jabed Ahmed
By denying military aid, the US president has sent a strong signal of support to the Kremlin, dealt a hammer blow to Volodymr Zelensky’s hopes, and fired a warning shot at former European allies – and there could be much more to come, says Mark Almond
Full report | Iraq veteran MP condemns JD Vance over claim Britain ‘hasn’t fought a war in 40 years’
13:19
,
Jabed Ahmed
Our Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Trump's Russia pivot unlikely to bring peace to Ukraine, says Finland's foreign minister
13:09
,
Jabed Ahmed
Finland's foreign minister has said that Washington's pivot towards Russia is unlikely to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, and that President Donald Trump would likely discover this in the end.
Elina Valtonen said she was "a little bit concerned" by a recent US order to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia during negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine war.
"This is probably part of the grand strategy that the White House has chosen to see if this course of action can lead to peace, effectively appeasing Russia and putting some pressure on Ukraine," Valtonen said when asked about the cyber pause at an event in London.
"In my personal view it should be exactly the other way around, and I trust that President Trump and his team will notice in due course that this probably doesn't work," Valtonen said at a public meeting at the Chatham House think tank.
Analysis | Trump has caught Starmer out again – and exposed three major flaws in PM’s US plan
12:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
Political editor David Maddox, who watched on in the Oval Office as Starmer met Trump, examines how the prime minister needs to adapt his approach to the special relationship to deal with the volatility of the US president
Iraq veteran MP condemns JD Vance over claim Britain ‘hasn’t fought a war in 40 years’
12:48
,
Jabed Ahmed
JD Vance has been condemned for disrespecting British veterans after he appeared to describe the UK as “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years”.
The US vice president has been accused of erasing the experiences of Britons who served in Iraq and Afghanistan after his latest tirade against America’s European allies.
Some 636 British troops died fighting alongside the US in Iraq and Afghanistan, and an ex-soldier MP who served in Iraq said Mr Vance had made “a sinister attempt to deny that reality”.
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Helen Maguire, a former captain in the Royal Military Police who served in Iraq, said: “JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I saw firsthand how American and British soldiers fought bravely together shoulder to shoulder. Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn’t return home from Iraq.”
Ms Maguire called on Lord Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador to the US, to force an apology from the vice president.
Vance has since rowed back on his comments, saying he did not “mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond”.
Starmer spoke to Trump last night, No 10 says
12:44
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Donald Trump on Monday night, Downing Street has said.
It is not clear whether the call was before or after the US president paused military aid to Ukraine.
No 10 would not comment directly on the pause without seeing the details of the announcement and did not say whether Sir Keir had been given any guidance from the US before the move.
Ukrainian government sells T-shirts with viral Zelensky quote from disastrous Trump meeting
12:38
,
Jabed Ahmed
My colleague Arpan Rai reports:
Tories distance themselves from MP's claim that Trump may be a Russian asset
12:27
,
Jabed Ahmed
The Conservative Party has distanced itself from a backbench Tory MP and former minister’s suggestion that it is time to consider whether Donald Trump is a Russian asset.
A party spokesman said: “Personal views of individual MPs are not official Conservative Party positions.
“It is imperative that the UK remains close to America, and engages with them, if we are going to get a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”
Tory MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart had said earlier on Tuesday: “We have to consider the possibility that President Trump is a Russian asset. If so, Trump’s acquisition is the crowning achievement of Putin’s FSB career – and Europe is on its own.”
Zelensky discusses further cooperation with Germany's Merz
12:18
,
Jabed Ahmed
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he discussed further cooperation with Germany with chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz.
The Ukrainian president said on X: “Had a productive conversation with the leader of the CDU party, which won the Bundestag elections. We coordinated our positions and I appreciate his support.
“Ukraine highly values Germany’s efforts to restore European security and protect lives in our country. We remember that Germany is the leader in supplying air defense systems to Ukraine and plays a crucial role in ensuring our financial stability.
“Agreed with Friedrich Merz on further cooperation and contacts.”
Watch | JD Vance describes Britain as 'random country that hasn't fought a war in 40 years'
12:09
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ukraine's PM sees risk over Patriot systems after US pauses aid
11:58
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ukraine's prime minister Denys Shmyhal said there were risks related to Patriot air defence systems after US President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine.
Shmyhal said there were risks over repairs, maintenance and supplies of munitions for the Patriots that are the only system capable of repelling Russian ballistic missile strikes.
Polish PM Tusk says reports from Ukraine border confirm pause in US aid
11:48
,
Jabed Ahmed
Reports from southern Poland confirm that United States aid for Kyiv has been paused, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
"A decision was announced to suspend American aid for Ukraine and to possibly begin lifting sanctions on Russia from the American side," Tusk told a government meeting.
"The reports that are coming from the border from our hub in Jasionka... confirm the announcements of the American side."
Poland says new EU defence cash should be grants not loans
11:38
,
Jabed Ahmed
New European Union investment in the defence industry should take the form of grants not loans, Poland's defence minister said on Tuesday, after EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Brussels could mobilise close to 800 billion euros.
"I would like this not to be loans but grants," Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told a news conference. "I believe that would be more effective."
Ukraine has sufficient liquidity for this year, PM says
11:37
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ukraine's prime minister said that budget revenues in January-February were in line with expectations, allowing it to fund army needs.
Denys Shmyhal told reporters that Ukraine had sufficient liquidity for this year under current conditions.
Trump's military aid cut will hit frontline 'within days', Ukrainian MP wanrs
11:29
,
Jabed Ahmed
Oleksandr Merezhko, who chairs the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee, has said the US decision to pause military aid could start having an impact on the ground as soon as "in the coming days".
"When we are in desperate need of American weaponry, of American support... [it] looks like siding with Russia" to end it now, Mr Merezhko Told the BBC.
"I'm appealing to Mr Trump not to play with these dangerous issues because we're talking about lives."
Von der Leyen's defence plans 'important first step', says German foreign minister
11:26
,
Jabed Ahmed
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plans to raise defence funds as "an important first step".
"Two things are now essential for peace through strength: additional aid - military and financial - for Ukraine, which is defending our freedom. And a quantum leap to strengthen our EU defence," Baerbock said on X.
Explained | What are Europe's options for paying to bolster its defence readiness
11:12
,
Jabed Ahmed
European Union leaders will discuss on Thursday how to finance a sharp increase in defence readiness to deter any possible future attack from Russia and become less dependent for security on the United States.
The European Commission on Tuesday proposed several ways to raise the funds that would add up to around 800 billion euros over several years.
But how can they do this?
Relax EU spending rules
The Commission proposed that defence spending be exempt from EU laws that put annual spending limits on governments to protect EU public finances and the value of the euro currency.
Not all EU governments support the idea, as they say special treatment for defence spending already exists in the rules. What is missing, they say, is a broader definition of defence investment, an issue they would prefer to focus on.
The Commission estimated that if EU governments were to increase their defence spending by 1.5% of GDP on average, it would create fiscal space of close to 650 billion euros over four years. The downside is that such borrowing would widen budget deficits and could worry bond investors, economists said.
Money from the EU’s 2021-2027 budget
The current seven-year EU budget of 1.2 trillion euros, created well before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has no proper funds for defence.
But around one-third of it is earmarked to equalise the standard of living between regions in the 27-nation EU - the so-called cohesion funds - and some of that cash can be used for projects that would be somehow linked to defence, like shelters for civilians or strengthening roads and bridges to allow the passage of tanks.
"We will propose additional possibilities and incentives for Member States that they will decide, if they want to use cohesion policy programmes, to increase defence spending," the Commission said.
Ukrainian PM says Ukraine ready to sign minerals deal
11:04
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal has insisted Kyiv has the resources to maintain the frontline following the suspension of US military aid.
He added Ukraine will continue diplomatic work with the US, and it remains ready to sign a minerals deal.
Mr Shmyhal said US military aid is critical to Ukraine.
Suspension of US support for Ukraine a ‘serious setback’ - Irish Premier
10:57
,
Jabed Ahmed
The US decision to suspend delivery of ammunition and other equipment to Kyiv is a “serious setback” towards achieving peace, the Irish premier has said.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who is due to meet Mr Trump in Washington DC next week, said on Tuesday: “It’s a very serious development, there’s no point in saying anything else.”
He said there needs to be continued engagement between EU leaders and the US to do everything possible for a peace that protects “Ukrainian sovereignty and its territorial integrity”.
He added: “It will not be easy. It’s been three years on now, this war, it has exacted a very heavy toll on a lot of people, and particularly on the people of Ukraine, who have shown extraordinary resilience, extraordinary courage in terms of meeting an illegal invasion.
“Europe is very conscious, also, of the fact that there are many other states across Europe who fear Russian aggression and Russian ambition, and those countries see this as an existential threat to their sovereignty.
“The European Union is very, very conscious of that, and that is what is motivating the European Union in its continued strong support of Ukraine, because this is a broader European issue.”
Poland is safer when Ukraine can defend itself, says PM Tusk
10:40
,
Jabed Ahmed
A sovereign, pro-western Ukraine which can defend itself, means a stronger and safer Poland, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said.
Mr Tusk’s comments after United States President Donald Trump decided to pause aid to Ukraine.
"In the political turmoil and growing chaos, this is what counts most. Whoever questions this obvious truth contributes to Putin's triumph," Tusk wrote on X.
Eu's Von der Leyen: EU budget to back proposed 150 bln euros in defence loans
10:28
,
Jabed Ahmed
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said in a letter to EU member states that 150 billion euros in new loans for defence investments will be backed by the EU's budget.
Von der Leyen has announced new EU plans to strengthen Europe's defence industry and increase military capabilities could mobilize close to 800 billion euros.
It comes as Europe looks to up its defence spending after president Donald Trump announced the US will be suspending all military aid to Ukraine.
For context, almost half of the £103bn in military support sent to Ukraine by its allies has come from the US, according to estimates by the Kiel Institute. That figure is a little over £51bn.
Full report | Rayner insists ‘nothing has changed’ despite Trump pulling military support for Ukraine
10:15
,
Jabed Ahmed
Reeves vows to cut red tape and boost UK arms production
10:04
,
Jabed Ahmed
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will promise to cut red tape to make it easier for the Government to buy military equipment.
She will tell a manufacturing industry conference in London later on Tuesday that she wants to "fire up Britain's industrial base" to step up arms production.
The Chancellor will say: "I am proud of our manufacturing sector, and the opportunities that it creates for the future - bringing more jobs and growth to parts of the country that have been ignored.
"For too long politicians of all stripes have ducked and dodged the decisions needed to fire up Britain's industrial base and unleash its potential to keep the country safe. We're changing that by increasing defence spending and making defence a cornerstone of our industrial strategy to create jobs, drive growth and meet emerging global threats head on."
Ministers will review "single source" contract rules that govern the majority of defence deals to incentivise faster delivery, learning lessons from the successful and rapid procurement of arms for Ukraine.
Single source contracts are not open to competition for national security reasons, or because there is only one specialist supplier available.
Trump turns on Starmer and allies in new Ukraine tirade – even as PM insists US is vital to peace deal
09:57
,
Alex Croft
Donald Trump criticised European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, deriding their weekend talks over Ukraine and launching a furious new attack on Volodymyr Zelensky for saying a peace deal is still “very, very far away”.
In what could be a major setback in ending Russia’s war on Ukraine, the US president fired off a tirade just as the prime minister was on his feet in the Commons insisting America was vital, sincere and indispensable in the path to peace.
Sir Keir rejected calls from MPs for Britain to shun Mr Trump and America after last week’s extraordinary ambush on Mr Zelensky in the White House Oval Office.
Political editor David Maddox reports:
Trump did not consult allies on military aid pause, says Poland
09:44
,
Alex Croft
US president Donald Trump did not consult allies on its decision to pause military aid to Ukraine, a Polish foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
"This is a very important decision, and the situation is very serious," Pawel Wronski told reporters.
"This sentence may sound banal, but it has great political significance - [the decision] was made without any information, or consultation, neither with NATO allies, nor with the Ramstein group, which is involved in supporting Ukraine in its fight."
How reliant is Ukraine on US weapons?
09:37
,
Alex Croft
US president Donald Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine following a fiery clash with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky last week, deepening the fissure that has opened between the two allies.
It was a Ukrainian concern that has been simmering for months but one Kyiv hoped it could allay with diplomacy.
As Mr Trump and his vice-president JD Vance berated Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Friday night for not saying thank you for the past three years of support, that concern suddenly became a serious possibility.
But how reliant is Ukraine on US military aid?
Kremlin: US must lift sanctions if it wants normalised relations
09:23
,
Alex Croft
The US will need to lift sanctions on Moscow if it wishes to normalise relations between the countries, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
It comes after Reuters reported that the US is preparing plans to potentially give Russia sanctions relief as Donald Trump seeks to restore ties with Moscow, according to a US official and another source.
It is too early to comment on the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, but Moscow’s stance is that the sanctions levied against Russia are illegal.
Kremlin: Pausing US military aid is best hope for peace
09:18
,
Alex Croft
Pausing US military aid to Ukraine is the best contribution towards peace, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
But it cautioned that Russia must clarify the details of Donald Trump’s move to suspend the aid.
The move could also encourage Kyiv to seek peace, the Kremlin said, adding that it was clear that the US was Ukraine’s main arms supplier in the war.
Watch: Ukrainian MP urges European leaders to focus on bringing US back 'on board' rather than issuing statements
09:15
,
Alex Croft
Military aid cut 'only helps Putin', says Farage
09:05
,
Alex Croft
Donald Trump’s decision to slash military aid to Ukraine will “only help Putin”, Nigel Farage has said.
“The breakdown in talks and aid between the US and Ukraine only helps Putin,” the Reform UK leader wrote on X.
“I hope that @Keir_Starmer can use his new role to bring the two together and soon.”
The breakdown in talks and aid between the US and Ukraine only helps Putin.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) March 4, 2025
I hope that @Keir_Starmer can use his new role to bring the two together and soon.
EU defence plans could mobilise nearly 800 billion euros - EU chief
08:58
,
Alex Croft
New EU plans to strengthen Europe’s defence industry could mobilise nearly 800 billion euros (662 billion pounds), EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.
The EU will propose to give member states more fiscal space for defence investments, as well as 150 billion euros in loans for those investments, and will aim to mobilize private capital as well, von der Leyen said.
Europe will 'step up' after Trump military aid cut - EU chief
08:44
,
Alex Croft
Europe is ready to “assume its responsibilities” and “step up” after Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said.
"This is Europe's moment, and we must live up to it,” Ms von der Leyen added.
"This is Europe's moment, and we must live up to it."@vonderleyen says Europe is "ready to assume its responsibilities" and "step up" following Trump's suspension of US military aid to Ukraine.https://t.co/rYOskJQKLR
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 4, 2025
Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/jUUiHGhNtt
Military aid cut is 'profoundly worrying' - Badenoch
08:31
,
Alex Croft
Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid to Ukraine is “profoundly worrying”, says Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
“It is clear that Britain and Europe must re-arm much faster if we want to provide Ukraine with more than just warm words of support,” Ms Badenoch wrote on X.
“We must work to keep America in, and Russia out.”
The news overnight that America is halting military aid to Ukraine is profoundly worrying. It is clear that Britain and Europe must re-arm much faster if we want to provide Ukraine with more than just warm words of support. We must work to keep America in, and Russia out. https://t.co/x46OgrfzNE
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) March 4, 2025
UK 'engaging with key allies' after military aid cut
08:29
,
Alex Croft
The UK government remains “absolutely committed” to peace in Ukraine and is “engaging with key allies, it has said after Donald Trump halted US military aid to the country.
A UK Government spokeswoman said: “We remain absolutely committed to securing a lasting peace in Ukraine and are engaging with key allies in support of this effort. It is the right thing to do, and is in our interest to do so.
“We have bolstered Ukrainian military capabilities through our commitment to provide Ukraine with £3 billion-a-year in military aid for as long as it takes and through a £2.26 billion loan using sanctioned Russian assets.
“In addition, we’ve set up a partnership with Ukraine that allows them to use £1.6 billion of UK Export Finance to buy 5,000 air defence missiles manufactured in Belfast, putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position for peace.”
Trump decision has 'kicked door open for Putin', says US senator
08:14
,
Alex Croft
Donald Trump’s decision to cut military aid to Ukraine has “kicked the door wide open for Putin to escalate his violent aggression against innocent Ukrainians”, US senator Jeanne Shaheen has said.
“The repercussions will undoubtedly be devastating,” added Ms Shaheen, who is the top democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Trump decision is 'catastrophic for us', says Ukrainian MP
08:09
,
Alex Croft
Donald Trump’s decision to pause military aid for Ukraine is “catastrophic”, a Ukrainian MP has told Sky News.
"I understand we have a crisis in relationships right now after Friday's meeting in the Oval Office but I just want to ask Donald Trump to reconsider... maybe just give us some time to get out of this because this is catastrophic for us," Oleksiy Goncharenko said.
Mr Trump’s decision will “embolden” Putin, he said, adding that Kyiv and Washington need to “heal this division” and “work together with America”.
Davey: Trump has 'humiliated' those who thought he was an ally in search of peace
08:00
,
Archie Mitchell, Political Correspondent
Commenting on Trump’s suspension of aid to Ukraine, Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:
"By suspending all military aid to Ukraine, Donald Trump has humiliated the people who pretended he was a reliable ally only in search of peace.
"The UK and Europe must seize frozen Russian assets to resist Putin’s unjust and savage war.”
Trump move is bad news says Europe
07:40
,
Chris Stevenson
The French government has said that the US decision to pause military aid to Ukraine makes peace “more distant”.
Benjamin Haddad, the junior minister for Europe, is quoted by Reuters saying “Fundamentally, if you want peace, does a decision to suspend arms to Ukraine reinforce peace or does it make it mo
