RNS: US President Donald Trump has put a pause on military aid to Ukraine, following a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The White House announced the decision late Monday, with a senior administration official stating that Trump is focused on peace and will review aid to ensure it contributes to a resolution of the conflict.
Trump’s comments on Monday reinforced his position that any continued US support for Ukraine hinges on securing a deal related to rare-earth minerals, which he argued is key to the ongoing US commitment. He also indicated that he would elaborate further during his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
The confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy occurred on Friday in the Oval Office, where tensions flared over a minerals deal. Trump insisted that Ukraine’s survival depended on striking a deal, while Zelenskyy raised concerns that the terms of such an agreement might be more favorable to Russia than Ukraine.
Trump reiterated that peace could be achieved quickly if Zelenskyy were willing to negotiate, but suggested that a reluctance to do so could undermine his leadership. “If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long,” Trump said, adding that both Russia and the people of Ukraine were ready for a settlement.
Trump also criticized Zelenskyy’s statement about the war’s prolonged duration, calling it “the worst statement,” and warned that “America will not put up with it for much longer.”
As European leaders grappled with the fallout from the exchange, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, announcing a $2 billion package for air defense missiles. He also stressed the importance of US backing for Europe’s efforts to bring peace to the region.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy remained hopeful of salvaging relations with the US, emphasizing that Ukraine’s failure would not only benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin but also undermine the interests of Europe and the US. “The failure of Ukraine is not just the success of Putin,” Zelenskyy said, adding that a Russian victory would be a setback for the West.
In response, Russian officials claimed that the failure of peace talks showed that Ukraine and Zelenskyy were not seeking peace, but rather wanted the war to continue.
The situation remains fluid as President Trump prepares to deliver further remarks on the matter during his address to Congress on Tuesday.
