Abruptly stop talk of ransoms (6)

I believe the answer is:

freeze

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'abruptly stop' is the definition.
'freeze' can be an answer for 'stop' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'abruptly' bit.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for freeze that I've seen before include "Get very cold" , "Suddenly become still" , "Hold at fixed level - say prices" , "Become motionless with fear" , "period of cold weather" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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