Donald Trump's administration has suspended the delivery of all US military aid to Ukraine, according to US media reports, blocking billions of dollars worth of shipments, as the White House steps up pressure on Ukraine to make peace with Vladimir Putin.
The decision concerns the delivery of ammunition, vehicles and other equipment, including shipments agreed upon during Joe Biden's term.
The suspension comes after a dramatic confrontation at the White House on Friday, when Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky that he was "taking a gamble" on World War III. The Ukrainian president was told to return "when he is ready for peace."
White House officials: This is a pause, not a permanent end to aid
A senior administration official told Fox News that "this is not a permanent cutoff of aid, but a pause." Bloomberg reported that all US military equipment not currently in Ukraine would be held, including weapons in transit on planes and ships or those waiting in transit zones in Poland.
Trump has ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to implement the suspension. The decision came after a White House meeting attended by Vice President J.D. Vance, Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
"The president has made it clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well," a White House official told the Washington Post. "We are pausing and reviewing our assistance to ensure it contributes to a solution."
The US has so far approved $175 billion in aid to Ukraine.
The US Congress has approved a total of $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began nearly three years ago, according to the nonpartisan Commission on a Responsible Budget. In December, just before he left office, Joe Biden announced an additional $5,9 billion in security and budget support.
U.S. aid to Ukraine includes military support, budget assistance mostly disbursed through the World Bank, and other funds disbursed through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), whose funding has been significantly reduced by the Trump White House. Some of the money the U.S. sends to Ukraine helps pay the salaries of teachers and doctors and keeps the Ukrainian government running so it can focus on the war effort.
How is the US delivering military aid to Ukraine?
US military assistance to Ukraine comes through two programs, the Presidential Emergency Drawdown Authority (PDA) – which allows the president to quickly transfer weapons and equipment from US stockpiles to allies without the need for congressional approval, and the Security Assistance Initiative for Ukraine (USAID), which enables the purchase of military equipment from the military industry.
So far, the US has provided $31,7 billion in military aid to Ukraine through the PDA, the vast majority of which – over $20 billion, according to a Reuters analysis – has already been delivered.
Trump administration rejects new aid to Ukraine
The White House's latest decision concerns aid that was previously approved but not yet delivered. Trump has not approved any new aid to Ukraine since taking office, and a new aid package in Congress currently seems unlikely.
Yesterday, Trump again expressed frustration over Zelensky's statement that the end of the war was "very, very far away."
On social media, Trump shared an Associated Press report on Zelensky's comments and wrote: "This is the worst statement Zelensky could have made, and America will not tolerate it for much longer."
He added: "As I said, this man does not want peace as long as he has America's support. Europe made it clear in the meeting with Zelensky that it can do nothing without the US. It was probably not the best statement if they want to show strength against Russia. What are they thinking about."
Trump: Zelensky "won't be around much longer" if he doesn't give in
Later yesterday, Trump warned that Zelensky "won't be around much longer" if he doesn't bow to pressure and reach a deal on American terms.
"It shouldn't be that hard to make a deal. It could be done very quickly," Trump told reporters, referring to the ceasefire. "If someone doesn't want to make a deal, I don't think that person will be around for long."
White House plans to restore relations with Russia and lift sanctions
US media reports that Donald Trump's administration is considering a plan to restore relations with Russia and lift sanctions on Moscow. The White House has asked the State Department and the Treasury Department to compile a list of sanctions that could be lifted so that US officials can discuss improving diplomatic and economic relations in upcoming talks with Russia.
In an interview with Fox News, Jay DeVance said that US economic interest in Ukraine would be the best security guarantee for the country's future - alluding to the agreement on the exploitation of Ukrainian mineral resources, for which Zelensky was invited to Washington, but instead of an agreement, he was sharply reprimanded and kicked out of the White House.
"If you really want security guarantees and you want to ensure that Vladimir Putin never attacks Ukraine again, the best security guarantee is that Americans have an economic interest in the future of Ukraine," Vance said. "That's a much better guarantee than 20.000 troops from some random country that hasn't been to war in 30 or 40 years."
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