Monitoring Desk
In a dramatic shift in US policy, President Donald Trump has suspended military aid to Ukraine, a White House official confirmed on Monday, escalating pressure on Kyiv to enter peace negotiations with Russia.
The move comes just days after a heated public exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with Trump pushing for a swift resolution to the war. The pause, which affects hundreds of millions of dollars in weaponry, immediately impacts Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian advances, The New York Times reported.
“The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” a White House official told AFP, speaking anonymously.
Trump also criticized Zelensky’s defiant stance, warning that the Ukrainian leader “won’t be around very long” without a ceasefire. He further suggested that Zelensky should show more gratitude for US support, raising concerns about Washington’s commitment to Kyiv.
Growing Tensions and European Response
Zelensky, reacting to the aid suspension, reiterated his desire to end the war “as soon as possible” but insisted that strong security guarantees were essential for any lasting peace. He blamed Russia for failing to engage seriously in peace talks.
Britain and France are now exploring a proposal for a one-month ceasefire, including halting attacks on energy infrastructure and airspace, possibly enforced by international troops. However, discussions remain in the early stages.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated on the battlefield. A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility near Dnipro killed up to 40 soldiers and wounded 90, according to military sources.
US-Russia Talks and Backlash
Reports that US and Russian officials have held direct discussions on ending the war—without Ukraine’s involvement—have sparked outrage in Kyiv and across Europe. Zelensky questioned whether Russia could be trusted to uphold any truce, a stance that reportedly angered Trump and Vice President JD Vance during a White House meeting last Friday.
The Kremlin seized on the growing divide, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing Zelensky of lacking diplomatic skills and being unwilling to negotiate peace. Meanwhile, Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, suggested Trump was deliberately escalating tensions to force a resolution.
With the future of US support for Ukraine now uncertain, the coming weeks could prove critical in determining the direction of the war—and whether Kyiv will be forced into concessions to maintain Western backing.
