Trump Pauses Military Aid to Ukraine Amid Tensions with Zelensky
In a significant foreign policy move, President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary halt on all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, citing concerns over Kyiv’s commitment to peace negotiations. This decision follows a tense Oval Office meeting last week, during which Trump reportedly asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to leave the White House after a heated exchange.
A White House official confirmed the aid pause, emphasizing that the U.S. remains focused on fostering peace. "The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well," the official told. The directive, issued to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, immediately halts the shipment of military equipment that was en route to Ukraine, including weapons stationed in Europe.
“This is not a permanent termination of aid; it’s a pause,” a Trump administration official told Fox News, explaining that the measure is a direct response to Zelensky’s recent actions. The president was set to meet with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deliberate on the freeze’s broader implications, which may shift U.S. strategic focus toward Latin America. Leaders such as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Argentinian President Javier Milei, and Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado Parisca are expected to be potential beneficiaries of this shift.
The United States has been Ukraine’s largest military aid provider since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, contributing approximately $119 billion, including $64 billion in military support. Meanwhile, the European Union has supplied Ukraine with $53 billion in military assistance. The pause may also impact existing commitments, including a $500 million aid package authorized by former President Joe Biden before leaving office, which provided advanced weaponry such as air defence missiles and F-16-supporting equipment.
Tensions between Trump and Zelensky have escalated, particularly after their contentious meeting last week. Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for pushing for additional security guarantees beyond a mineral rights deal that was supposed to be finalized during the visit. The Ukrainian delegation was subsequently asked to leave, and the deal remained unsigned.
Zelensky’s remarks on Sunday, stating that a peace agreement is still "very, very far away," further fuelled Trump’s frustration. Taking to Truth Social, the president argued that Zelensky’s stance proves he is unwilling to pursue peace and relies too heavily on U.S. support, a position that may reshape future American policy toward Ukraine.
