Russia releases statement after Donald Trump's decision to stop military aid into Ukraine

Russia has responded to President Donald Trump's decision to pause all military aid to Ukraine.

Last night (3 March) the US Government announced they would be suspending all military aid to the Eastern European country, following a tense meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy just days before.

The US had previously been a huge supporter of the Ukrainian military, following Russia's 2022 invasion, with the previous Biden administration providing Kyiv with over $66.5 billion (£52.3 billion) in aid.

Russia has now responded to the news, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the move 'best contribution to the cause of peace'.

"If this is true, then this is a decision that can really encourage the Kyiv regime to (come to) the peace process," Peskov said (via Reuters).

"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."

Peskov previously spoke about the Trump administration's shift in foreign policy over the weekend, saying the Republican president's coincided with their 'vision'.

"The new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations," he told a reporter from Russian state media on Wednesday, with the comments later published on Sunday (2 March) via The Guardian.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

"This largely coincides with our vision."

Peskov continued: "There is a long way to go, because there is huge damage to the whole complex of bilateral relations. But if the political will of the two leaders, President Putin and President Trump, is maintained, this path can be quite quick and successful."

Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov has also praised 78-year-old US leader, calling his approach to Ukraine 'common sense'.

Meanwhile numerous European leaders have since reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, with UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer chairing a summit with various NATO leaders in the aftermath of Zelenskyy and Trump's public fall out.

"We remain absolutely committed to securing a lasting peace in Ukraine and are engaging with key allies in support of this effort," a UK government spokesperson said earlier today, after the decision to suspend military aid was confirmed.

"It is the right thing to do, and is in our interest to do so."

Relations between Ukraine and the US have been tense since the White House meeting (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

The spokesperson added: "In addition, we've set up a partnership with Ukraine that allows them to use £1.6 billion of UK export finance to buy 5,000 air defence missile manufactured in Belfast, putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position for peace."

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in an all out conflict since 24 February 2022, when Russian military invaded the Eastern provinces of the country. Russian forces currently occupy numerous oblasts in the east of Ukraine, while the Ukrainian military has taken small amounts of Russian territory along the boarder.