New Delhi, March 4: The United States has paused military aid to Ukraine, according to a White House official. BBC, quoting CBS News, reports that the aid is being reviewed to ensure it helps in finding a solution.
President Donald Trump’s decision to halt the aid marks a major escalation in his tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Multiple US media outlets reported on Monday that Trump wants to see Ukraine show a “commitment to peace negotiations” with Russia before resuming assistance.
The pause is believed to be temporary, but the Trump administration is pushing for Zelensky to agree to minerals deal and make peace with Russia. However, Ukraine has been asking for security assurances, which Trump’s team has not offered. Instead, they have been discussing “economic assurances.”
The timing of Trump’s decision is striking, as it comes just before his address to Congress, where he is expected to highlight his accomplishments. Securing a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia is a major goal for him.
Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict three years ago, the US has been a key supplier of weapons to Ukraine. However, Trump recently criticized Zelensky for saying that the war’s end is “very, very far away.”
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has presented a four-point plan to support Ukraine, but European leaders warned after a recent summit that peace is unlikely without US backing.
BBC explains that US military aid to Ukraine is delivered through three main channels. The Presidential Drawdown Authority allows the US military to send equipment from its own stockpiles, with around $3.85bn still available. The White House decides when to release these supplies. Another $1.5bn in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) is available through the State Department, either as a grant or a loan. This is currently under review by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Additionally, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) provides funds for Ukraine to purchase weapons directly from US manufacturers.
Following the announcement, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, warning Zelensky that “America will not put up with it for much longer.” His post was a response to Zelensky’s Sunday press briefing, where the Ukrainian president stated that a peace deal “is still very, very far away.”
Last week, Trump and Zelensky had a tense meeting in Washington, which was supposed to focus on ending the war and signing a minerals deal. Instead, the meeting turned into a heated argument in the Oval Office. At one point, Vice-President JD Vance suggested diplomacy as the “path to peace,” but Zelensky pushed back, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin had broken agreements in the past. Vance then accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and added, “you should be thanking the president.”
During the meeting, Trump warned Zelensky that he was “gambling with World War Three.” Zelensky replied that while the US was protected by an ocean, Russia’s actions would affect them in the future. Trump responded by telling Zelensky that he was “in no position to dictate” how Americans should feel. He then made it clear: “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelensky being asked to leave the White House. A planned luncheon and press conference were also cancelled.
