United States President, Donald Trump, has ordered a pause on all US military aid to Ukraine following a heated argument with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week, a White House official confirmed on Monday.
The decision follows a series of meetings between Trump and top national security officials and is intended to pressure Zelensky into committing to peace talks.
“The president 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,” a White House official stated.
The suspension could significantly impact Ukraine’s war effort, as the pause applies to all military equipment not yet inside Ukraine.
According to CNN, analysts have warned that while Ukraine can likely sustain its current fighting pace for a few weeks, the absence of American military support could weaken its position.
“The impact is going to be big. I would call it crippling,” said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, who predicted that Ukraine’s supply shortages would eventually lead to front-line failures.
Trump’s move also places him at odds with key European allies, including Britain and France, who reaffirmed their support for Ukraine at a summit in London. A European official condemned the decision, calling it “petty and wrong,” warning that it could erode trust in the US and lead to unnecessary civilian casualties.
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The White House is reportedly seeking an acknowledgment from Zelensky over last week’s tense meeting, with some officials suggesting a public apology may be required before aid resumes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly urged Zelensky to apologise during an interview on CNN.
Meanwhile, prior shipments of aid authorised by the Biden administration were still flowing as of Sunday, including critical munitions and artillery rounds.
However, the Trump administration’s decision halts future shipments, raising concerns over Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defensive efforts against Russia.
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