US Halts Military Aid to Ukraine Amid Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office Clash

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a halt to all military aid to Ukraine, following an intense Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , Reuters reported citing an official.

This move raises significant doubts about the future of American support for Ukraine, traditionally its most important ally, amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The reports suggest that the suspension of military aid to Ukraine is effective immediately and will remain in place until President Trump determines that Ukraine's leadership has demonstrated a genuine commitment to "peace."

The pause includes all US military equipment that is not yet in Ukraine, including weapons currently in transit via aircraft or ships, as well as those waiting in transit areas in Poland.

Trump-Zelenskyy Heated Clash

The move follows a public and heated exchange between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy during their meeting at the White House last Friday.

Zelenskyy was in Washington to sign a minerals deal with the US, but the meeting quickly soured when he requested a security guarantee from the Trump administration in the event of a future Russian invasion. Trump's refusal to commit to such a guarantee seemed to deepen the rift between the two leaders, leaving the future of US support for Ukraine uncertain.

The situation took a dramatic turn after the Oval Office encounter, with Trump and his deputy, JD Vance, publicly rebuking Zelenskyy. Vance criticized the Ukrainian president for being "ungrateful" for the support, while Trump accused Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War 3" in his handling of the war.

Trump Criticises Zelenskyy’s 'Very Far Away' Peace Remarks

In a related incident, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to lash out at Zelenskyy's recent remarks about the likelihood of a peace deal with Russia. While speaking to reporters in London, Zelenskyy stated that a deal to end the war remains "very, very far away," expressing his belief that Ukraine must continue the fight. He also suggested that Ukraine's relationship with the US would ensure continued support, despite the strained ties.

Trump, however, sharply criticized Zelenskyy's statement, writing on Truth Social, "This is the worst statement that Zelenskyy could have made, and America will not put up with it for much longer." He implied that Zelenskyy was not genuinely seeking peace, as long as Ukraine continued to receive American assistance.

Impact of Previous Foreign Aid Pause

In January, the Trump administration had already paused foreign aid grants for 90 days, except funds allocated to Israel and Egypt. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo at the time, emphasizing that no new foreign aid would be allocated without thorough review and approval. Despite this, military aid to Ukraine continued until now.

What’s Next for US-Ukrainian Relations?

The situation remains tense, as Zelenskyy continues to insist that Ukraine needs ongoing support from the US while acknowledging that an immediate resolution to the war seems unlikely. However, many experts are questioning whether Trump's decision to halt military aid marks a significant turning point in US foreign policy, signaling a potential pivot away from backing Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.

The next steps will depend heavily on diplomatic negotiations and the ability of the international community, including the US, to find common ground on how to address the escalating conflict.