Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Mar 4: US President Donald Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine, escalating tensions between Washington and Kyiv after a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, a White House official confirmed on Monday.
The decision marks a significant shift in US policy towards Ukraine and Russia, with Trump adopting a more conciliatory stance towards Moscow since assuming office in January. The pause follows a confrontation at the White House, where Trump reportedly criticized Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude for US support in Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia.
A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the aid is being reviewed to ensure it aligns with Trump’s peace-first approach.
"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 official said.
However, the White House has not provided details on the scope, duration, or amount of aid affected, and the Pentagon has also refrained from offering further clarity.
Zelenskyy’s office and the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington have not issued a response to the development.
On Monday, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Zelenskyy, responding to an Associated Press report quoting the Ukrainian leader, who had described the war’s end as "very, very far away".
"This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the US Congress has approved $175 billion in assistance, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. However, the Trump administration inherited $3.85 billion in Congressionally-approved military aid, which now faces an uncertain future.
With the growing rift between Washington and Kyiv, Trump's decision goes beyond his previous stance of no new aid and appears to halt deliveries of military equipment approved under the Biden administration, including missiles, munitions, and other defense systems.
Despite the escalating tensions, Trump suggested that a deal to open Ukraine’s minerals sector to US investment remains viable. The Trump administration sees the agreement as a way for the US to recoup some of the billions spent on Ukraine’s defense.
When asked if the deal was dead, Trump responded: "No, I don't think so." He described it as a "great deal for us" and promised to provide further updates during his address to Congress on Tuesday night.
Vice President JD Vance, in an interview with Fox News, urged Zelenskyy to accept the minerals deal, arguing that it would give the US a vested interest in Ukraine’s security.
"If you want real security guarantees, the best way is to give Americans economic upside in Ukraine’s future," Vance said.
However, Zelenskyy has insisted that any ceasefire must include explicit security guarantees from the West to prevent future Russian aggression. Trump has refused to offer such guarantees.
The suspension of aid has raised concerns in both Ukraine and Europe. Advocacy group Razom for Ukraine condemned the move, stating that "by abruptly halting military assistance to Ukraine, President Trump is giving Russia the green light to keep marching west."
Meanwhile, European leaders are scrambling to support Ukraine, with France and Britain exploring the possibility of sending troops in the event of a ceasefire. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman confirmed that multiple peace options were under discussion, though any intervention would require US backing.
Moscow, however, has rejected any European military presence in Ukraine, complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts.