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SH.BA is suspending military aid to Ukraine after Donald Trump seeks to increase pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make concessions just days after both leaders were put in Spastra at the White House for peace talks with Russia.
Trump’s decision prohibits what has been a continuous supply of US military aid, including weapons for Kyiv since Moscow began its full -scale occupation of Ukraine three years ago.
It comes between the increasing tension between Trump and Zelenskyy, as the US president tries to push Ukraine to resolve conflict with Russia rapidly.
A White House official on Monday said: “The president has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that purpose as well. We are stopping and reviewing our help to ensure that it is contributing to a solution. “
The measure came after Trump renewed his verbal attack on Ukraine’s president on social media and in remarks on reporters at the White House on Monday, after the dramatic confrontation at Oval office on Friday.
“I just think he has to be more thankful because this place has stuck with them through thick and thin,” Trump told zelenskyy. He also suggested that the Ukrainian leader may be out of office if he fails to reach an agreement with Moscow.
“It doesn’t have to be such a difficult deal to do,” the president added. “It can be done very quickly. Now maybe someone doesn’t want to make a deal, and if one doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be too long. “
After freezing reports appeared on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio seemed to suggest it was linked to a wider diplomatic effort. “We want to take the Russians to a negotiating table. We want to consider whether peace is possible,” Rubio said in a statement, without directly mentioning the suspension.
Trump’s decision will add urgency to efforts in many European capitals to strengthen their military support for Kyiv, because a prolonged pause in US help could give Russian forces a major advantage on the battlefield.
The Washington War Study Institute warned on Monday evening that the decision to interrupt US assistance would “directly undermine President Trump’s declared goal to achieve sustainable peace in Ukraine”.
“Russia will use the interruption of US aid to Ukraine to capture more territory in Ukraine and try to exhaust European support – the approach that Putin has described in his theory of victory,” ISW added.
Trump’s mass comes after a weekend of intense diplomatic activity in Europe, including a summit organized by UK Prime Minister Sir Starmer and a one -month -long truce plan proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron to try to create a solution with better conditions for Kyiv.
It also comes on the eve of Trump’s first address for a joint session of his second term Congress on Tuesday.
In an interview with Fox News presenter Sean Hannity on Tuesday, US Vice President JD Vance said “His message to Ukrainians” was: “Donald Trump is the only game in the city.”
Vance, who joined Trump at Bereting Zelenskyy at Oval Office on Friday, also called on Ukraine’s president to “seriously engage in the details” of an agreement, adding: “much better security is to give Americans stubborn in the future of Ukraine.”
Trump has tried to agree with an agreement with Kyiv for access to Ukrainian critical minerals. But the agreement, which US officials see as important for Washington’s support for Ukraine, was postponed after a clash at the White House.
However, Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania, said Monday that he spoke with Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff of Zelenskyy and believed that the signing of the deal was close.
Fitzpatrick wrote on X before the announcement: “We are 100% returning this train to the rails. This mineral agreement will be signed in short order, which will lead to a strong long -term economic partnership between the United States and Ukraine, which will ultimately lead to security.”
“Europe will be asked to grow and make its share, and there will be mandates for them to do it alone,” he added.
Democrats immediately attacked the suspension of military aid and demanded that it be returned.
“Donald Trump’s decision to unilaterally halt funds for Ukraine is reckless, indefinable and a direct threat to our national security,” said Bayle, a democratic congressman from Pennsylvania.
“The world is looking, and we cannot allow us to allow Trump’s reckless actions to undermine our commitment to allies and our democracy ourselves.”
Additional reporting by William Sandlund to Hong Kong
