U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, about 24 hours after his Friday exchange with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, a White House official said Monday evening.
«We are pausing and will reassess our assistance to ensure that it contributes to finding a solution» to the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
«The president made it clear that he is focused on peace. We need partners who are also committed to achieving this goal,» he added.
The decision was announced following a meeting at the White House earlier yesterday attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegese, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and advisors to President Trump.
A few hours earlier, the Republican head of the U.S. government did not give a clear answer on the issue, saying that discussions were underway.
«This is not a definitive end to the aid (but) a suspension,» stressed another U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, on Fox News.
Donald Trump makes no secret of his anger toward Mr. Zelenskyy following their meeting on Friday at the White House, which devolved into a verbal clash. Yesterday, he continued and escalated his threats against the Ukrainian president, whom he suspects of «not wanting peace» with Russia.
He went so far as to say that he «would not tolerate» the Ukrainian president’s positions “much longer.”.
The U.S. military aid had been approved by the previous administration of Democratic President Joe Biden. According to State Department figures, from February 24, 2022, through January 20, 2025, the U.S. provided «military aid (worth) $65.9 billion» to Ukraine.
