'Attempt to push Kyiv towards capitulation', Ukraine cries foul as Trump cuts US aid after spat with Zelenskyy

The more than three-year-long war between Russia and Ukraine reached an unprecedented critical point on Tuesday, as the United States, which has been the single-largest backer of Kyiv, has applied the brakes. On day 1,101 of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainians woke up to the news that the Donald Trump administration has paused military aid for their fight against the invading Russian forces.

CREDIT: AP

Trump pulls plug on US aid to Ukraine

President Trump directed the US to pause all assistance to Ukraine, in what is widely seen as a move to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back to the negotiation table.

The development also came days after the two presidents had an unprecedented public spat during their meeting at the Oval Office.

CREDIT: REUTERS

What this means for Ukraine

According to reports, the Trump announcement would effectively end the arms deliveries to Ukraine approved under the previous Biden administration. It is yet unclear if deliveries of ammunition for weapons systems already in Ukraine would be affected.

Why Ukraine needs US support

The US has provided $65.9 billion in military support to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.

The support of the US and its allies, including the UK and the EU, has been crucial for Ukraine to put up an unexpected resistance against the much better-armed Russia, which also has a larger army.

CREDIT: AP

'Trump wants Ukraine to surrender to Russia'

Responding to the US aid pause, a senior Ukrainian lawmaker said Trump is trying to push Kyiv towards capitulation on Russia's terms.

"To stop aid now means to help (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of Ukraine's Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, told Reuters.

"On the surface, this looks really bad. It looks like he is pushing us towards capitulation, meaning (accepting) Russia's demands," he said.

"The main thing is that this is a psychological blow, a political blow upon Ukraine, it doesn't help our spirit," Merezhko said.

He compared the aid stoppage to the Munich Agreement of 1938 when Nazi Germany was allowed to annex part of Czechoslovakia.

"This is worse than Munich because at least there they didn't try to paint Czechoslovakia as the aggressor, but here they try to accuse the victim of aggression ¨C it is extremely dangerous."

CREDIT: AP

European response

Meanwhile, Europe continues to rally behind Ukraine, which is facing an existential threat following the US aid pause.

"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," a British government spokesperson said in a statement.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.