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President Donald Trump has paused all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, signaling a dramatic shift in Washington’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine war as he pressures Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate peace with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The White House move follows a tense Oval Office meeting last week, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy for not expressing enough gratitude for the $180 billion in military aid the U.S. has provided since Russia’s invasion began.
According to a senior administration official, Trump’s decision will remain in effect until Ukraine “demonstrates a commitment” to peace talks. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the pause would allow the administration to review whether continued aid was contributing to a long-term solution.
A Rocky Relationship with Zelenskyy
Trump’s frustration with Zelenskyy has been growing. On Monday, he slammed the Ukrainian leader on Truth Social for stating that peace “is still very, very far away.“
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump posted.
At a White House event later, Trump added that Zelenskyy “better not be right about that.”
Zelenskyy, in an apparent attempt to de-escalate tensions, later emphasized on social media that Ukraine is committed to “real peace” but stressed that any agreement must provide long-term security.
Trump’s Economic Leverage: The Critical Minerals Deal
Before last week’s tense meeting, U.S. and Ukrainian officials were expected to finalize a deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical mineral reserves—a pact Trump sees as a way for Ukraine to “repay” America for past military support. However, the stalled agreement has added to the friction.
Despite the aid freeze, Trump has signaled he still supports the economic pact, calling it “a great deal” and promising to discuss it during his Tuesday address before Congress.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, remains optimistic that the minerals deal “will be signed in short order.”
GOP Allies Turn on Zelenskyy
Trump’s closest Republican allies are now openly questioning whether Zelenskyy is the right leader to negotiate peace.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) warned that Ukraine must find “a leader we can do business with” if Zelenskyy does not fully commit to peace talks.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a longtime Ukraine supporter, suggested Zelenskyy should “either resign or change.”
- National Security Adviser Mike Waltz questioned whether Zelenskyy was politically capable of making the necessary compromises for peace.
These remarks have raised concerns in Kyiv that Trump’s administration might seek to replace or sideline Zelenskyy if he does not cooperate.
Democrats Condemn Trump’s Move as “Extortion”
Democrats have fiercely criticized the aid freeze, calling it reckless and politically motivated.
- Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) called the decision “indefensible and a direct threat to national security.”
- Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), a key figure in Trump’s first impeachment, accused him of “another extortion attempt” against Ukraine.
Goldman referenced Trump’s 2019 effort to withhold aid while pressuring Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden, an act that led to Trump’s first impeachment.
A Win for Putin?
Foreign policy analysts warn that Trump’s pause on aid strengthens Putin’s position.
“Putin believes time is on his side,” said Angela Stent, a former national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia. “He sees divisions within the West and is in no rush to end the war.”
While some Republicans believe Trump and Zelenskyy can “move past” their differences, others argue that Ukraine must accept hard compromises—especially regarding territorial concessions to Russia.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s address to Congress set for Tuesday, all eyes will be on whether he:
✅ Doubles down on pressuring Zelenskyy
✅ Announces terms for resuming military aid
✅ Revives the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal
✅ Signals a broader shift in U.S. policy toward Russia
Regardless of the outcome, Trump’s decision has already reshaped the conversation around Ukraine—and could define the future of U.S. foreign policy in the region.
