The Biden administration has paused U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as President Donald Trump seeks to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toward peace talks with Russia, a White House official confirmed.
According to the official, Trump remains focused on securing a peace deal to end the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago. The White House is now “pausing and reviewing” military aid to Kyiv to ensure it contributes to a resolution, though the suspension is not considered a permanent halt.
Trump’s decision follows a tense White House meeting with Zelenskyy, during which both Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance criticized the Ukrainian leader for what they described as a lack of gratitude for U.S. support. The rift has deepened in recent weeks, with Trump expressing frustration over Ukraine’s resistance to negotiations and simultaneously voicing confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin would uphold any potential truce.
On Monday, Trump publicly rebuked Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian president suggested that an end to Russia’s aggression remains “very, very far away.” Meanwhile, key Trump allies have ramped up pressure on Zelenskyy to align more closely with the administration’s push for a swift resolution or, some have hinted, step aside.
The White House’s approach has raised concerns among European allies, particularly as Trump prepares to address Congress on Tuesday. His speech is expected to include details on the future of a U.S.-Ukraine agreement regarding rare earth minerals—an agreement that has been thrown into uncertainty. Trump had previously refused to sign the deal, citing what he called a lack of appreciation from Zelenskyy, though he continues to refer to it as “great.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to reassure allies about Washington’s commitment to a negotiated settlement. In a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Rubio acknowledged the UK’s efforts to bolster Europe’s defense capabilities and emphasized the administration’s dedication to ending the war through diplomatic means.
The pause in military aid and Trump’s push for peace talks mark a significant shift in U.S. policy on Ukraine. As tensions between Washington and Kyiv grow, the future of U.S. support for Ukraine—and its broader geopolitical consequences—remain uncertain.
