US President Donald Trump suspended Ukraine military aid, intensifying pressure on Kyiv to negotiate peace with Russia.
The White House confirmed the immediate pause, which stalls hundreds of millions in weapons shipments, just days after a fiery clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The decision follows a tense Oval Office showdown on Friday, where Trump berated Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for US support. “The President is focused on peace. We need our partners committed to that goal,” a White House official told AFP anonymously. “We’re pausing and reviewing aid to ensure it drives a solution.” Trump doubled down, warning Zelensky “won’t be around long” without a ceasefire and hinting at waning patience with his defiance.
Ukraine’s Stance and Russia’s Response
Zelensky countered on Monday, insisting the war—sparked by Russia’s 2014 Crimea annexation and 2022 full-scale invasion—can only end with “real, honest peace” backed by security guarantees. He blamed past failures on weak protections, citing Ukraine’s 1994 denuclearization deal with the US and UK. Russia’s Kremlin, echoing Trump, dismissed Zelensky’s stance, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming he lacks diplomatic skill and desire for peace.
Read: European Leaders Unite for Ukraine Peace Plan to Secure U.S. Support
The aid freeze has rattled Washington’s allies. After crisis talks in London, Britain and France are crafting a one-month truce proposal targeting air, sea, and energy fronts, possibly with troop support. Zelensky’s remark that a deal remains “very far away” irked Trump further, widening the rift. Meanwhile, Germany’s Friedrich Merz called Trump’s move a “deliberate escalation,” as US-Russia talks exclude Ukraine, stoking fears of a forced settlement.
Amid the diplomatic storm, a Russian missile strike on Saturday hit a Ukrainian military site near Dnipro, killing 30-40 soldiers and wounding 90, per a military blogger. The attack, 130 kilometers from the front line, underscores the war’s toll as Ukraine military aid hangs in limbo.!
