US President Donald Trump has suspended all military aid to Ukraine after a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a White House official told Reuters.
The decision marks a significant shift in Washington’s stance on the ongoing war, further straining ties between the two nations.
The suspension follows Trump’s policy shift toward a more conciliatory approach to Russia since taking office in January.
The disagreement between the leaders reportedly escalated during a meeting at the White House, where Trump criticized Zelenskiy for not showing enough appreciation for US military and financial assistance in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.
“President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” the White House official stated, speaking on condition of anonymity, according to Reuters.
Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has provided details on the scope of the aid freeze or the duration of the review.
Ukraine’s government has yet to issue an official response, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington has remained silent on the matter.
Trump reiterated his stance on Monday, responding to a report from the Associated Press that quoted Zelenskiy as saying the war’s end remains “very, very far away.”
In a Truth Social post, Trump expressed frustration, calling Zelenskiy’s remark “the worst statement that could have been made,” and suggesting that American support should not be taken for granted.
BREAKING: President Trump just went NUCLEAR on Zelensky and Europe on Truth Social.
“This guy doesn’t want Peace and America will NOT put up with it for much longer!”
🔥🔥🔥
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What will happen to US-Ukraine relations and mineral deals?
The US has provided $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion three years ago, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
The Trump administration inherited $3.85 billion in previously approved military assistance, but the ongoing diplomatic tensions have cast doubt on whether these resources will be utilized.
Trump’s latest move goes beyond his previous stance of withholding new aid, as it appears to impact ongoing military deliveries, including munitions and missile systems approved under the Biden administration.
Despite the rift, Trump hinted that a US-Ukraine minerals deal remains a possibility.
European leaders have also floated ceasefire proposals, raising speculation about the future direction of the war.
The Trump administration sees access to Ukraine’s mineral resources as a way for the U.S. to recover some of the billions in financial and military support provided since the conflict began.
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