Ukrainian officials are expressing deep concern over Donald Trump‘s decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine, with MP Oleksiy Goncharenko calling the move “disastrous,” warning it will lead to thousands of deaths.

At the same time, Russia welcomed the decision, saying it was the best decision so far to help bring about peace.

Speaking to Sky News, Goncharenko admitted there was a diplomatic crisis between the US and Ukraine following Friday’s tense White House meeting between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, but urged the US president to give Ukraine time and reconsider his decision. “I understand that we are in a crisis in our relations right now, but I want to ask Donald Trump to reconsider his decision… Maybe give us some time to figure it out, because this decision is devastating to us,” he said.

Goncharenko also appealed to Zelensky to do everything possible to rectify the situation, even going so far as to urge him to apologize to Donald Trump. “We have to heal this division, we have to work with America, we have to be united,” he said.

Kremlin welcomes ‘freeze’ on US military aid to Ukraine

Meanwhile, the Kremlin described Donald Trump’s decision to suspend US military aid to Ukraine as the “best contribution to the cause of peace.”

According to the Russian government, the move could encourage Kiev to seek a peaceful solution. At the same time, it said European countries would likely attempt to fill the gap left by the United States’ decision.

The Kremlin, while saying it was awaiting more details on the U.S. decision, noted that it welcomed Trump’s willingness to seek peace in Ukraine.

US and Europe on opposite paths

Moscow’s reaction was expected, as the cut-off of US military support is seen by many analysts as a “gift” to the Russian leadership. As Sky News’ US correspondent David Blevins reported, Trump’s decision to “freeze” aid to Ukraine is “music to Putin’s ears.”

Blevins added that the former US president’s decision stands in stark contrast to efforts by British Prime Minister Sir Kir Starmer and other European leaders to draw up a peace plan to end the conflict.