The Trump administration has reportedly halted all military aid to Ukraine, a move that could significantly impact the country’s defense against Russia.
Meeting With Zelensky Ends in Chaos
According to Bloomberg News, the decision follows a tense meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.
The discussion, which was expected to strengthen ties, descended into chaos, further straining the fragile U.S.-Ukraine alliance.
A Defense Department official told the outlet that Trump is reviewing whether Zelensky is willing to engage in good-faith negotiations for a peace deal with Russia before proceeding with further military assistance.
Not a Permanent Cut, But a Major Blow
A Trump administration official told Fox News that the move is a temporary pause, not a complete termination of aid.
However, as reported by The New York Times, it affects over $1 billion in arms and ammunition that were either already ordered or in production.
Additionally, the decision halts hundreds of millions of dollars allocated under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows Kyiv to purchase weapons from U.S. defense companies.
Trump Seeks Commitment to Peace Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s stance, stating,
“President Trump is the only leader in the world right now who even has a chance at bringing an enduring and lasting end to the war in Ukraine.” However, he did not directly address the aid freeze.
Officials have warned that Ukraine could struggle to maintain its defence against Russia beyond the summer without continued U.S. support. An administration official told The Associated Press that Trump wants to see Zelensky demonstrate a strong commitment to reaching a peace deal quickly.
The source emphasized that the move is intended to ensure that U.S. support contributes to a resolution, not prolongs the conflict.
Tensions Escalate Between Trump and Zelensky
The aid freeze comes just days after the U.S. and Ukraine were on the verge of signing a rare minerals agreement, which was expected to deepen economic and strategic ties between the two nations.
However, the situation rapidly deteriorated during the televised Friday meeting, when Trump’s administration accused Zelensky of overstepping and showing ingratitude after he pressed for stronger security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression.
Following the exchange, Ukrainian officials were asked to leave the White House, and Trump allies began calling for Zelensky’s resignation.
This week, The tension escalated when Zelensky declared that a peace deal was ‘very, very far away.’
Trump responded sharply on Truth Social, writing, “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!”
European Allies Consider Alternative Support
As U.S. support wavers, Ukraine’s European allies are now exploring ways to fill the gap, including the possibility of deploying a peacekeeping force inside Ukraine with some form of U.S.-backed security guarantees.
The move has drawn comparisons to Trump’s first administration, when he attempted to withhold military aid to Ukraine in an effort to pressure Zelensky into launching an investigation into Trump’s 2020 election opponent, Joe Biden.
With Ukraine’s survival at stake, the aid pause signals a critical moment in U.S. foreign policy, raising concerns about the future of American support in the ongoing war.
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