Early this morning (4 March), news broke that Donald Trump had made the decision to suspend all military aid to Ukraine, following an unsuccessful meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week.

The 47th US president had a meeting with senior advisors on Monday before making the decision.

A public meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy took place last Friday in the Oval Office, where the former accused the Ukrainian president of ‘gambling with WW3’, as he left the White House with no progress made in peace deal talks.

If you haven’t seen the ordeal, have a look:

The order represents a move by Trump to give Zelenskyy an ultimatum, as several Russian officials shared their glee.

After the heated talks, it was announced that the pause to military aid would come into effect immediately, as a White House official told Sky News that while Trump is focused on peace, they want their ‘partners to be committed to that goal as well’.

Now, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko has commented on the situation, describing it as ‘catastrophic’.

It is the first comment on the situation from the European nation, which is currently at war with Russia.

Speaking to Sky, he told Wilfred Frost: “I understand we have a crisis in relationships right now after Friday’s meeting in the Oval Office, but I just want to ask Donald Trump to reconsider… maybe just give us some time to get out of this because this is catastrophic for us.”

Trump and Zelenskyy got into it in the Oval Office (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Goncharenko went on to claim that ‘thousands of people will die’ following Trump’s move, also sending a message to Zelenskyy.

He claimed that the move will make the division with Russia bigger, calling for Zelenskyy to do ‘everything he can in order to get out of this’, stating that an apology to Trump is required.

“We need to heal this division, we need to work together with America, we need to be together,” he claimed.

The MP also revealed that the Ukrainian leader previously said he wouldn’t seek re-election after being made president in 2019, suggesting that he ‘think about not running’ after the war ends.

Deborah Haynes, the security and defence editor for the news publication, highlighted what effects Trump’s decision would have on the world.

She explained: “It will have an immediate impact on its ability to fight on the frontline and to defend cities from Russian attacks.”

Haynes added that the Ukrainian air force shot down 65 of 99 Russian drones that were launched at the nation last night, highlighting that a third of them got through and that it’s ‘vital’ that they get military help from allies.

Trump and the US government have cut Ukraine off from their military aid (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

She concluded by claiming that Trump’s decision gives an overwhelming advantage to one country: Russia.

It had been reported by the New York Times that over $1 billion (£787.3 million) in arms and ammunition will be withheld by the US, with Ukraine now forced to deal with private contractors.

The UK government has since commented on the decision to pause military aid to Ukraine, as a spokesperson said: “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 spokesperson for the UK government has shared a statement in response to Donald Trump’s decision to pause of military aid to Ukraine.

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s all gone a bit t*ts up on the global political stage. What was intended to be a routine visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House to sign a minerals agreement with the US went horribly, horribly wrong after the pair ended up having a public bust-up in the Oval Office.

The following days have seen numerous European countries reaffirm their support for Zelenskyy, amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country, while President Trump and his ‘first buddy’ Elon Musk decided to call out the Ukrainian leader on social media.

Not content with accusing Zelenskyy of ‘gambling with WW3’, Trump has now announced the decision to pause all military aid to Ukraine, with a White House aid insisting the decision will secure peace between the two nations.

“President [Trump] has been clear that he is focused on peace,” White House official anonymously told Sky News.

“We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that is contributing to a solution.”

The UK government has now responded to the latest development, with a spokesperson telling Sky News that ministers are ‘absolutely committed’ to achieving piece in Ukraine.

Kier Starmer has been vocal in his support for the Ukrainian leader (Toby Melville – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“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 has said.

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

The spokesperson went on to reference the UK government’s recent decision to provide further military aid to Ukraine, which includes an annual £3 billion for ‘as long as it takes’ as well as releasing £2.26 billion from frozen Russian assets in the form of a loan.

Emphasising the support is to guarantee Ukraine will be in a position to negotiate peace with Russia, 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.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has also addressed the shocking development in a new interview, telling BBC Radio 4 that the PM is ‘laser-focused’ on achieving peace.

“He’s laser-focused on getting peace. He won’t be derailed by announcements,” she said.

Several NATO countries have since promised to step up their support for Ukraine (Justin Tallis – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“He will continue that dialogue with our oldest and strongest ally, the US, and with European partners and with Ukraine.”

The US president’s decision to pause military aid will come as a huge blow to Ukraine, with former President Biden giving the Eastern European country $66.5 billion (£52.3 billion) since Russia invaded on 24 February 2022.

A report from The New York Times adds that $1 billion (£787.3 million) in arms and ammunition have now been withheld by the US, meaning that Ukraine will now have to negotiate with private contractors.

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.

A large bruise spotted on Donald Trump’s hand has been explained after fears for the president’s health went viral.

At 78-years-old, Trump is currently the oldest president to be inaugurated in the White House, beating his predecessor Joe Biden by around 160 days. Trump would regularly make fun of Biden’s age and capability to lead the country – frequently referring to him as ‘Sleepy Joe’ – however it would appear the former businessman may not be immune to the effects of aging either.

Rumours began to circulate about whether or not the 78-year-old was as fighting fit as he claimed after a large bruise was spotted on his hand during a meeting with French leader Emmanuel Macron this week.

Speculation is swirling online about the state of the president’s health (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump met with the Macron in the White House’s Oval Office on Monday (24 February) to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine; however many people were more intrigued by the large discolouration on the president’s hand and wondered if his body was already showing strain from leadership.

“Some photos over the lasr [sic] few months show bruising on Trump’s hand. Maybe bruising from an iv. Always seems to be on the same hand,” one person wrote on X.

“That’s the kind of IV bruise you get when you’re on blood thinners. What are they pumping him with,” a second person questioned, while a third wrote: “This is the second time I have seen this. Are they hiding something?”

Meanwhile others were quick to point out that Trump is close to 80-years-old and that older people bruise easily due to thinning skin.

To be fair my grandma also has bruises on her hands at age 79 and has had them for years. It’s just something that happens when you’re old and trump is OLD,” a fourth person weighed in.

The orange foundation was fighting hard against this one (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Concerns over the bruise have since made their way back to the ears of the White House, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt claiming the injury was down to the fact that Trump is a busy man.

“President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other president in history,” she said, via LBC.

“His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day.”

“President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day,” she added in a second statement.

Trump is certainly no stranger to a crushing handshake, with the US president going viral once again after being photographed awkwardly grappling with his French counterpart’s hand during their meeting.