Trump suspends military aid to Ukraine, pressures Zelensky for peace talks

US halts military aid to Ukraine amid rising tensions

US President Donald Trump has suspended military aid to Ukraine, a White House official confirmed on Monday, intensifying pressure on Kyiv to negotiate peace with Russia.

The decision follows a public clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the conflict. Trump had earlier hinted at a possible pause in aid but did not confirm it until Monday. The halt in US arms shipments could severely weaken Ukraine’s ability to counter the Russian invasion.

White House justifies aid suspension

A White House official stated:
“The President 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.”

Trump also expressed frustration with Zelensky’s defiant stance, warning that the Ukrainian leader should be “more appreciative” of US support. Speaking at the White House, he added, “Zelensky won’t be around very long” without a ceasefire agreement with Russia.

Aid suspension takes immediate effect

According to reports, the suspension is already in place, impacting hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons shipments to Ukraine.

Zelensky, in response, reiterated his desire to end the war “as soon as possible” but emphasized that Ukraine needs strong security guarantees to achieve lasting peace.

European Nations explore alternative support

As US support wavers, European nations are stepping up discussions on how to assist Ukraine. Following urgent talks in London, Britain and France are considering proposing a one-month ceasefire covering air, sea, and energy infrastructure, possibly backed by ground troops.

Zelensky acknowledged ongoing discussions but warned that a final peace agreement remains “very, very far away.” His stance has further strained relations with Trump, who seeks quicker progress toward negotiations.

Security concerns and military escalation

Zelensky argued that Ukraine’s lack of security guarantees in past years allowed Russia to seize Crimea in 2014 and later launch a full-scale invasion in 2022.

Meanwhile, Russian missile strikes continue to inflict casualties on Ukrainian forces. Over the weekend, an attack on a military training facility near Dnipro reportedly killed between 30 and 40 soldiers, with 90 others wounded.

Political fallout and global reactions

Trump has previously criticized Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” for postponing elections due to martial law. The Ukrainian leader dismissed calls for his resignation, stating he would only step down if Ukraine secured NATO membership—an idea opposed by Russia and now the US under Trump.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov blamed Zelensky for the recent tensions, accusing him of lacking diplomatic skills and rejecting peace efforts.

Meanwhile, Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, suggested that Trump’s move was a “deliberate escalation.”

US-Russia talks raise concerns

Reports indicate that US and Russian officials have held talks about ending the war—without Ukraine’s direct involvement—causing alarm in Kyiv and Europe. Many fear that any US-Russia deal could jeopardize Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

Zelensky further angered Trump and US Vice President J D Vance by questioning Russia’s trustworthiness in any potential truce, escalating tensions between Washington and Kyiv.

As the situation develops, Ukraine faces uncertainty over its military support, while diplomatic efforts continue amid growing global concern.

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