Ukraine, Europe react to Trump’s ‘shocking’ military aid freeze

President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary pause on all military aid to Ukraine, according to two White House officials.

This decision follows a tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Trump pushed Kyiv to agree to a peace deal that would bring an end to Russia’s invasion.

For Ukraine, which has relied heavily on military and financial support from its Western allies, this pause presents a major strategic challenge.

While Ukraine and its European partners now manufacture most of the weapons deployed on the battlefield, certain American systems remain crucial and difficult to replace.

“It’s shocking,” said Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the Ukrainian parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “Until the last moment, I hoped that Trump wouldn’t do it because he wants to be popular, and such a move would definitely cause a backlash.”

He went on to say, “Trump is helping Putin to kill Ukrainians.”

A White House official emphasised Trump’s focus on achieving peace, stating, “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.”

Merezhko believes the decision benefits Russia at Ukraine’s expense. “It looks like Trump is trying to make a deal with Russia over the heads of Ukraine and Europe at the cost of Ukraine,” he said. “He doesn’t apply leverage over the aggressor but is trying to force the victim, the weaker party, to accept demands of the aggressor.”

He also argued that Trump should have discussed any alternative plans with Zelenskyy privately. “If Trump has a different plan in mind, he should have at least talked to Zelenskyy about it behind closed doors, which never happened.”

Oleksiy Goncharenko, another Ukrainian lawmaker, described the decision as “catastrophic,” telling Sky News, “Thousands of people will die.”

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal reassured the public that efforts to sustain military support remain ongoing. “We are working to ensure the support of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We are grateful to the United States and the American people, who have supported and continue to support Ukraine for the past three years. Today, that support continues.”

He expressed confidence in continued cooperation, stating, “We will calmly continue our work with the U.S.—with Congress and the Trump administration—to continue the fight for a stable, lasting peace. Ukraine is firmly committed to continuing cooperation. I am confident that support from the US will continue. We are looking for ways for pragmatic cooperation and are ready to sign, including an agreement on minerals.”

European leaders have reacted with concern, warning that the pause could undermine Ukraine’s position against Russia.

“We need the Americans militarily,” Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said at a Chatham House event in London. “On the battlefield, Russia has not really been advancing in recent months. This definitely shouldn’t be a moment where we give in.”

French Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad echoed similar concerns, stating that the aid pause “means moving peace further away.” He added, “To end the war, pressure must be put on the aggressor, Russia,” suggesting that European nations must now step up their support to fill the void left by the US

In Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that the halt in US aid would benefit Moscow. “It is obvious that the US has been the main supplier of this war so far,” he said, according to the state-run Tass news agency. “If the US stops being one or suspends supplies, this will probably be the best contribution to the cause of peace.”

Officials familiar with the situation told ABC News that approximately 90% of the military equipment promised to Ukraine under past Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) packages has already been delivered. This includes essential munitions and anti-armor systems like Javelin anti-tank missiles.

The remaining deliveries, primarily armored vehicles requiring refurbishment, were expected to arrive in the coming months.

Despite the freeze, Ukraine has long-term contracts with American defense manufacturers, ensuring a continued supply of newly produced weapons. While the Trump administration could take further action to block these deliveries, there is currently no indication that it intends to do so.

Analysts warn that even though Ukraine has diversified its sources of military equipment, U.S. aid remains vital. Malcolm Chalmers of the Royal United Services Institute noted that while the U.S. now provides only 20% of Ukraine’s total military hardware, this contribution is “the most lethal and important.” He explained, “Ukraine will not collapse—they already experienced an aid cutoff last year. But the effect will be cumulative.”

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War suggested that Putin might interpret the US pause as a sign that continued aggression could lead to further concessions.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials say they are working on contingency plans. Mykola Bieleskov, an analyst at Ukraine’s National Institute for Strategic Studies, estimated that Ukraine could sustain its current level of fighting for another six months to a year without US support.

Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of Ukraine’s parliamentary defense committee, noted that Kyiv has reserves for about six months but is urgently seeking alternative sources for key weapons.

Despite the uncertainty, Ukraine’s leadership remains hopeful that US support will continue in some form.

The coming months will be critical as Ukraine, its allies, and the Trump administration navigate the next steps in the ongoing war.

(ABC News)