U.S. President Donald Trump has suddenly suspended all military aid to Ukraine after a contentious Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a White House official told journalists, Monday. It represents a major change in U.S. foreign policy, prompting worldwide talks about America’s view of Russia’s hostilities against Ukraine.
“President Trump has been straight up—our focus is peace, and we look to our partners to advance that interest,” The aid is being scrutinized to make sure it helps with a solution, the official said anonymously.
The move comes after a contentious row in Washington on Friday, where Trump is understood to have lamented that Zelenskyy was not sufficient grateful to U.S. aid. The office of the Ukrainian leader has yet to respond to the aid freeze. 
In response, demonstrations erupted in cities like Chicago, where Ukraine activists, and supporters held a solidarity march to denounce the decision. European leaders have also expressed support for Zelenskyy, questioning the change in approach by the government.
While the tensions were always lurking, Trump suggested Monday negotiations over Ukraine’s mineral resources could still go ahead, allowing U.S. investors to gain a toehold in the war-torn country’s valuable resources.
Trump is due to shed light on his administration’s stance in a Tuesday night address to Congress, which will be watched around the world for next steps.
