Trump Pauses Military Aid To Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC – March 3, 2025 – President Donald Trump has temporarily halted U.S. military assistance to Ukraine after a contentious Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a White House official disclosed to CNN on Monday.

This decision follows Zelensky’s public statement expressing his willingness to mend ties with Trump and work under his leadership to establish lasting peace in Ukraine.

In his first remarks since the suspension, Zelensky proposed an initial ceasefire in both air and naval conflicts as a pathway to ending the ongoing three-year war. Additionally, he committed to signing a strategic minerals agreement with Washington.

“My administration and I are prepared to collaborate under President Trump’s leadership to achieve long-term peace,” Zelensky posted on X.

“Our meeting at the White House last Friday did not proceed as planned. Now is the time to correct that,” he added.

The aid suspension follows multiple White House discussions with senior national security officials. A source confirmed that the pause will persist until Ukraine demonstrates a solid commitment to peace negotiations. This move is widely seen as a measure to compel Kyiv into diplomatic talks, using potential battlefield setbacks as leverage.

“The President has always prioritized peace. We expect our partners to align with this objective. Aid is currently under review to ensure it supports a viable resolution,” the White House official stated.

Trump’s abrupt move to halt military support has intensified concerns in Kyiv and across European capitals, raising fears that the U.S. may be shifting its foreign policy stance closer to Moscow.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin welcomed Trump’s decision. Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that halting military supplies to Ukraine could encourage Kyiv to engage in peace negotiations.

“If the United States ceases military shipments, it would likely be the most significant step towards achieving peace,” Peskov stated.

As the U.S. and Russia engage in discussions about a possible truce, the European Union remains excluded from the talks. The EU has been actively mobilizing support for Ukraine, recognizing the urgency of the situation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently unveiled a new EU initiative aimed at securing approximately 800 billion euros ($840 billion) for Europe’s defense. She emphasized that this funding would significantly enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities by ensuring immediate access to advanced weaponry.