Trump’s military aid pause alarms Ukrainians but Kyiv stands firm on peace terms

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares to fire an M777 howitzer towards Russian positions at the front line near Donetsk (Roman Chop/AP)

Ukrainians expressed alarm and apprehension on Tuesday at a US decision to pause military aid that is critical to their fighting Russia’s invasion, as a rift deepens between Kyiv and Washington.

Days after an explosive meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump ordered the assistance to be halted in a bid to pressure Kyiv to engage in peace talks with Russia.