US President Donald Trump has ordered a “pause” in military aid to Ukraine following a strained White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The move comes as Trump seeks to pressure Zelenskyy into engaging in peace talks with Russia.
A White House official stated that Trump’s primary focus is securing a peace agreement to end the ongoing war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. Trump wants Zelenskyy to show a firm commitment to achieving this peace.
The official further explained that the US is “pausing and reviewing” its military aid to ensure it aligns with efforts to bring about a resolution to the conflict. However, this pause is not expected to be a permanent cessation of US assistance.
Ahead of his 2024 re-election, Trump had promised to swiftly end the war in Ukraine. Recently, he has expressed growing frustration with Zelenskyy’s stance on the war, while indicating confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin can be trusted to maintain peace if a ceasefire is negotiated.
