Trump Halts Military Aid to Ukraine After Dispute with Zelensky

President Donald Trump has ordered a pause on U.S. military aid shipments to Ukraine following a contentious Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, according to a White House official. The decision, made after Trump consulted with top national security advisors, may severely impact Ukraine's ability to continue its war effort, potentially forcing Kyiv to peace talks to avoid further battlefield setbacks until Trump sees Zelensky committing to negotiations.
"The president prioritizes peace and expects our partners to share that aim. We're pausing and reassessing aid to ensure it fosters a resolution," the official stated.

The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Kyiv since Trump assumed office, following over a week of public friction. Recently, Trump has repeated Russian President Vladimir Putin's rhetoric, wrongly asserting Ukraine initiated the conflict and labeling Zelensky a dictator. Freezing military assistance could shift the war's dynamics and bolster Putin's position.
The suspension affects all military gear not yet delivered to Ukraine, a direct reaction to what Trump perceived as Zelensky's misconduct during their recent encounter. Western officials estimate Ukraine can maintain its current combat intensity for weeks, possibly until early summer, before feeling significant effects, thanks to a surge of advanced weaponry rushed by the Biden administration in its final days.

These high-tech arms, like long-range ATACMS missiles enabling strikes deep into Russia, may dwindle if the pause persists. While Europe and Ukraine's budding defense sector might offset some U.S. artillery supplies, Kyiv relies on America for its most sophisticated weaponry.
Expert Mark Cancian from the Center for Strategic and International Studies called the potential impact "crippling," predicting Ukraine could face shortages in two to four months despite European aid. "When supplies halve, it eventually hits the front lines, risking a collapse that could force a disastrous peace deal," he warned, noting further cuts to intelligence and training could tighten the screws on Zelensky.

The White House seeks Zelensky's recognition of the rift post-meeting—possibly a public apology—before advancing talks on Ukraine's rare earth minerals or resuming aid, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly demanding contrition. The freeze, finalized Monday, aims to pressure Kyiv.
This stance starkly contrasts with European allies like Britain and France, who reaffirmed support for Zelensky at a London summit. A U.S. official admitted Europe alone can't bridge the capability gap, while a European counterpart decried the move as "petty and wrong," foreseeing eroded trust in America among Ukrainians and increased civilian deaths from undefended Russian air raids.
Previously, the Biden administration delivered 74 aid packages from U.S. stocks, with Zelensky frequently expressing gratitude. Sunday, a defense official confirmed ongoing shipments of critical munitions, but Trump's decision now halts these efforts.
Congressional Republicans are divided: Trump ally Sen. Markwayne Mullin argued taxpayers tire of funding an unwinnable war, urging peace talks, while Sen. Susan Collins insisted on supporting Ukraine, citing broader U.S. interests against Putin's ambitions, though she conceded Congress's limited sway over presidential authority. Rep. Brian Mast noted all options remain open regarding Ukraine aid.