US President Donald Trump has decided to stop all military help to Ukraine, after his spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Oval Office, which might render Ukraine vulnerable in its war with Russia.
The US has been Ukraine’s biggest supporter both in diplomatic terms and the supply of weapons to repel the Russian invasion that started about three years ago with heavy casualties on both Russia and Ukraine.
An anonymous source from the US authorities said the US is pausing all military assistance until Trump determines Ukraine’s leaders demonstrate a good-faith commitment to peace. The administration will also review the aid to make sure it’s contributing to a solution to the conflict, a White House official said.
The order applies to all US military equipment not currently in Ukraine, including weapons in transit on aircraft and ships or waiting in transit areas in Poland. While the extent of the affected weapons isn’t immediately known, Trump had inherited from former President Joe Biden the authority to deliver $3.85 billion in weapons from US stockpiles.
Trump is eager for a quick end to the devastating war but when Zelenskiy demanded in an Oval Office meeting last week for security guarantees to ensure Russia doesn’t violate any agreement, Trump angrily told him to come back when he’s ready for peace. The two sides have reportedly put on hold a mineral resources deal that was seen as a possible lead to a ceasefire.
This latest decision from Trump has triggered reaction from European countries allied to Ukraine as they strategize to keep Ukraine supplied with weapons, as well as to provide peacekeeping forces for a deal. However countries in Europe do not have many of the arms and other capabilities that the US now provides. But Europe believes that supplies of weapons are likely to last only until summer.
“It’s a great deal for us,” Trump told reporters, adding that “I’ll let you know tomorrow,” when he addresses a joint session of Congress. He said Zelenskiy “should be more appreciative” of the billions in US assistance his country has received to fight Russia’s invasion.
Vice President JD Vance, who took part in the sharp exchanges with Zelenskiy at the White House last week, told Sean Hannity on Fox News Monday night that “the Russians are going to have to give up stuff. The Ukrainians are going to have to give up stuff.” Vance added, “When they’re willing to talk peace, I think President Trump will be the first person to pick up the phone.”
The leaders of the UK and France, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, are reportedly drawing up a temporary ceasefire proposal to present to Trump that would allow detailed talks to begin for a durable long-term peace plan.
