(Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following his clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week, a White House official said, deepening a fissure that has opened between the one-time allies.
Here are reactions to the move.
UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER DENYS SHMYHAL
Ukraine’s military has the means to maintain the situation on the front line with Russian forces, Shmyhal said. “We will continue to work with the U.S. through all available channels in a calm manner,” he added.
OLEKSANDR MEREZHKO, HEAD OF THE UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
“On the surface, this looks really bad. It looks like he is pushing us towards capitulation, meaning (accepting) Russia’s demands. To stop aid now means to help Putin.”
U.S. SENATOR JEANNE SHAHEEN, TOP DEMOCRAT ON THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE:
“By freezing military aid to Ukraine, President Trump has kicked the door wide open for Putin to escalate his violent aggression against innocent Ukrainians. The repercussions will undoubtedly be devastating.”
KREMLIN SPOKESMAN DMITRY PESKOV:
If the pausing of aid “is true, then this is a decision that can really encourage the Kyiv regime to (come to) the peace process. 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.”
“We hear (Trump’s) statement about his desire to bring peace to Ukraine, and this is welcome.”
“But we will continue to see how the situation develops in reality.”
GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANNALENA BAERBOCK, ON X:
“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.”
POLISH PRIME MINISTER DONALD TUSK, ON X:
A sovereign, pro-western Ukraine which can defend itself, means a stronger and safer Poland, Tusk said, adding: “In the political turmoil and growing chaos, this is what counts most. Whoever questions this obvious truth contributes to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s triumph.”
BRITISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON:
“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.”
BENJAMIN HADDAD, FRENCH JUNIOR MINISTER FOR EUROPE:
“Fundamentally, if you want peace, does a decision to suspend arms to Ukraine reinforce peace or does it make it more distant? It makes it more distant, because it only strengthens the hand of the aggressor on the ground, which is Russia,” Haddad told France 2.
DANISH DEFENCE MINISTER TROELS LUND POULSEN, TO RITZAU NEWS AGENCY:
“There are some things that the Ukrainians are completely dependent on with regards to the Americans. These include the missiles used in the Patriot air defence system, which is American. So this will put Europe in a situation where we now really need to do more ourselves to help Ukraine.”
CZECH PRIME MINISTER PETR FIALA, ON X:
Europe must “take full responsibility for our own security. This requires increased investment in defence. Ensuring our security also means intensifying our support for Ukraine. We cannot allow Russia’s aggressive policy, which threatens us all, to succeed.”
“The era of relying on others to address fundamental international challenges on our behalf is over.”
HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN:
“The U.S. president and the Hungarian government share the same stance: instead of continuing weapons shipments and the war, a ceasefire and peace talks are needed as soon as possible.”
(Compiled by Michael Perry and Bernadette Baum; Editing by Kim Coghill and Andrew Heavens)
