President Donald Trump has ordered a pause in military aid to Ukraine following a heated argument with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. A White House official stated that the decision to pause and review the aid is aimed at ensuring that it contributes to peace efforts.
The pause will apply to all military equipment that has not yet reached Ukraine. This move is a direct response to what Trump perceives as Zelensky's recent behavior, with the possibility of resuming aid if Zelensky shows renewed commitment to negotiations for ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Officials are seeking an acknowledgment from Zelensky regarding the breakdown in relations after the Oval Office meeting. Trump and his aides are reportedly looking for a public apology or some form of acknowledgment from Zelensky before proceeding with a potential minerals deal or discussions on foreign aid.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly called for Zelensky to apologize for the incident. The decision to halt military aid is seen as part of a pressure strategy on Ukraine.
The pause comes after a defense official confirmed that military aid announced by the Biden administration was still being delivered, including critical munitions like anti-tank weapons and artillery rounds. However, the Trump administration's decision now freezes aid that was en route to Ukraine.
The US is also providing armored vehicles to Ukraine once necessary repairs are completed. Facilities in Poland have been set up to repair damaged Western equipment before returning it to the Ukrainian military. Additionally, there are ongoing contracts between US arms manufacturers and Ukraine for weapons systems and air defense systems.
Overall, the pause in military aid reflects the current tensions between the US and Ukraine, with the Trump administration emphasizing the need for a renewed commitment to peace efforts from the Ukrainian side.
