Monitoring Desk
The United States has halted military aid to Ukraine as President Donald Trump escalates pressure on Kyiv to negotiate peace with Russia, a White House official confirmed on Monday.
The abrupt policy shift follows a heated public clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with the US leader advocating for a swift resolution to the war. The suspension—impacting hundreds of millions of dollars in arms shipments—immediately threatens Ukraine’s frontline defense against Russian advances, according to The New York Times.
“The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” an anonymous White House official told AFP.
Trump also took aim at Zelensky’s defiance, warning that the Ukrainian leader “won’t be around very long” without a ceasefire deal. He further suggested that Kyiv should show more appreciation for American support, raising fears that Washington’s long-standing commitment to Ukraine is wavering.
European Response and Escalating Conflict
Zelensky, in response to the aid freeze, reaffirmed his desire to end the war but insisted on strong security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. He accused Moscow of failing to negotiate in good faith, citing past betrayals.
Meanwhile, Britain and France are reportedly working on a one-month ceasefire proposal that would halt hostilities in the air, at sea, and on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—potentially with international forces overseeing enforcement. However, talks are still in preliminary stages.
On the battlefield, tensions continue to rise. A Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility near Dnipro killed up to 40 soldiers and wounded 90 others, military sources reported. The attack underscores Ukraine’s growing vulnerability as US military aid stalls.
US-Russia Talks Spark Backlash
Reports that US and Russian officials have held direct discussions on ending the war—without Ukraine’s participation—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 contentious White House meeting last Friday.
The Kremlin quickly capitalized on the diplomatic rift, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing Zelensky of lacking diplomatic acumen and obstructing peace efforts. Meanwhile, Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, warned that Trump may be deliberately escalating tensions to force Ukraine into concessions.
With US support in question and diplomatic negotiations at an impasse, Ukraine faces an uncertain future. The coming weeks could determine whether Kyiv is pressured into accepting a ceasefire on unfavorable terms—or if Western allies will step in to fill the gap left by Washington’s withdrawal.
