US President Donald Trump has ordered a pause on all military aid to Ukraine. This decision was made on Monday, just days after a tense meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The pause raises concerns about the future of US support for Ukraine, which is currently at war with Russia.
According to a report by Bloomberg, the US government will stop sending any military equipment to Ukraine until Trump decides that the country’s leaders are truly committed to peace. A senior Defence Department official, who did not want to be named, shared this information. This means that any weapons or military supplies that were being transported to Ukraine—whether by air, sea, or stored in Poland—will now be put on hold.
Fallout From Trump-Zelensky disagreement
The decision to pause aid comes after a heated exchange between Trump and Zelensky during their meeting last week. Zelensky travelled to Washington to make a deal about minerals, which are important for industries. At the same time, he asked the US government to promise security help for Ukraine in case Russia attacks in the future. However, this request caused a disagreement between the two leaders. Because of this, the minerals deal did not happen.
Trump’s deputy, JD Vance, also criticised Zelensky, calling him "ungrateful," while Trump accused him of "gambling with World War 3." Trump has often said he wants the war between Ukraine and Russia to end, but many believe he is using arguments that favour Russia.
Previous aid policies and sudden change
Earlier this year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had announced a temporary 90-day pause on most foreign aid, except for funds going to Israel and Egypt. However, Ukraine was still receiving military support even after that order.
Now, after the recent meeting with Zelensky, Trump has decided to freeze all military aid to Ukraine. This move has left European leaders concerned. Some of them are now working on a peace plan that they hope the US will support.
The decision to stop military aid could have a big impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia. It also signals a shift in US foreign policy under Trump's leadership.
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