Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: US News, News, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, World News
Lucy Devine
Topics: US News, News, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, World News
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a statement following President Donald Trump pausing aid to Ukraine.
Days on from days on from Zelenskyy and Trump's disastrous meeting last Friday (28 February), the Trump administration has paused all aid to Ukraine.
According to Fox News, this includes weapons in Poland or in transit until Zelenskyy demonstrates a commitment to peace.
"President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace," a White House official told Fox News. "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."
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"This is not permanent termination of aid, it's a pause," said another official. "The orders are going out right now."
The US is overwhelmingly the biggest donor of aid to Ukraine, and - according to the Kiel Institute - has given $69 billion (£54.6 billion) in military aid to the country between the start of 2022 and the end of 2024.
In response to the developments, Zelenskyy has issued a new statement on X.
He wrote: "I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
"None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
"We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same. Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."
Zelenskyy continued: "We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this.
"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.
"Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."
Shortly after their disastrous meeting, Trump shared a statement on his Truth Social platform, explaining: "We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.
"I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace."