Trump pauses US military aid to Ukraine after Zelensky clash
US president turns up pressure on Ukraine’s leader to engage in negotiations to end the war with Russia
US President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following his clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, a White House official said, deepening the fissure that has opened between the two one-time allies.
The move comes after Trump upended US policy on Ukraine and Russia upon taking office in January, adopting a more conciliatory stance towards Moscow – and after an explosive confrontation with Zelensky at the White House on Friday in which Trump criticised him for being insufficiently grateful for Washington’s backing in the war with Russia.
“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,” said the official on Monday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The White House had no immediate comment on the scope and amount of aid affected or how long the pause would last. The Pentagon could not provide further details.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Kyiv was “absolutely determined” to continue to work together with the United States.
“Ukraine is absolutely determined to continue cooperation with the US,” Shmyhal told a press conference on Tuesday. “The US is an important partner and we need to preserve this.”