Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has paused military assistance to Ukraine following a heated confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a White House official confirmed.
The move deepens the rift between Washington and Kyiv, marking a major shift in US policy toward Ukraine and Russia.
Since taking office, Trump has adopted a more conciliatory stance toward Moscow, diverging from previous US policy.
His frustration with Zelensky escalated after the Ukrainian leader stated that an end to the war was “very, very far away.” In response, Trump condemned the remarks, warning that the US would not tolerate such statements for much longer.
A White House official, speaking anonymously, stated, “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 White House has not disclosed the scope or duration of the pause, and the Pentagon provided no further details. Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on the decision.
Since Russia’s invasion three years ago, the US Congress has approved $175 billion in assistance for Ukraine. The Trump administration inherited $3.85 billion in Congressionally-approved authority to transfer US arms stockpiles to Ukraine, but amid growing tensions, it was already unlikely that the aid would be used.
The latest move halts deliveries of military equipment, including munitions, missiles, and other systems that had been previously approved under the Biden administration.
Despite this, Trump suggested that a deal granting US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources remains on the table, seeing it as a way for America to recoup some of the billions spent on aid.
When asked if the deal was dead, Trump replied, “No, I don’t think so.” He described it as a “great deal for us” and said he would provide an update during his upcoming address to Congress.
.@VP: "What President Trump has said clearly and consistently is of course the door is open so long as Zelensky is willing to seriously talk PEACE." pic.twitter.com/N9m9gqEuCn
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 4, 2025
Vice President JD Vance backed the minerals deal, arguing that it would serve as Ukraine’s best security guarantee. “If you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,” Vance said in a Fox News interview.
However, Zelensky has made it clear that any ceasefire must include explicit security guarantees from the West to prevent Russia—already occupying about 20% of Ukraine’s territory—from launching another attack. Trump has refused to commit to any such guarantees.
Beyond military assistance, US aid to Ukraine also includes budgetary support delivered through a World Bank trust fund and additional funds administered by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which the Trump administration has already restricted.
The sudden pause in military aid raises broader questions, including whether the US will continue providing munitions for previously delivered weapons systems or intelligence-sharing support for Ukraine’s defense operations.
Key members of the Senate Armed Services Committee were not notified of Trump’s decision, according to a source familiar with the matter. The Ukrainian advocacy group Razom for Ukraine condemned the suspension, and stated that, “By abruptly halting military assistance to Ukraine, President Trump is hanging Ukrainians out to dry and giving Russia the green light to keep marching west.”
Meanwhile, European leaders are rallying around Ukraine, working on a potential peace plan. France, Britain, and other European nations have floated the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine under a ceasefire agreement—though Moscow has already rejected such a proposal.
European officials, privately and publicly, are expressing frustration over what they see as a US betrayal of Ukraine, urging Washington to maintain its commitment to Kyiv.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson stated that, “There are clearly a number of options on the table,” emphasizing Europe’s continued efforts to support Ukraine amid the shifting US stance.
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