US Halts Military Aid To Ukraine To 'Ensure Solution' To Russia War, Move After Heated Exchange Between Trump And Zelenskyy

In a move that signals a deepening rift between Washington and Kyiv, US President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported Reuters.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Reuters stating, "President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution."

However, the official provided no details regarding the scale of the aid freeze, how long it would last, or which specific supplies would be affected.

The suspension of aid follows an explosive confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House last week, during which Trump reportedly chastised the Ukrainian leader for what he saw as a lack of gratitude for American support in the ongoing war with Russia.

The rift widened further when Zelensky was quoted by the Associated Press as saying the end of the war remains "very, very far away," prompting a furious response from Trump.

Writing on Truth Social, he declared, "This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!"

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, the US Congress has approved $175 billion in assistance, but Trump’s decision to halt new aid marks a significant shift.

It goes beyond his earlier stance of refusing additional aid and now appears to affect military supplies already approved under the Biden administration, including munitions and missile systems. The Pentagon has yet to clarify the full extent of the disruption.

Amidst the growing diplomatic fallout, Trump has suggested that a deal allowing American investment in Ukraine’s mineral resources remains on the table.

The administration sees this as a way for the US to recoup some of the billions spent in military and financial assistance since the war began.

When asked on Monday (3 February) if the deal was dead, Trump replied, "No, I don't think so," adding that he would provide further updates during his upcoming address to Congress.

Vice President J D Vance, speaking to Fox News, urged Zelensky to accept the minerals deal, arguing that "the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine."

However, Zelenskyy has maintained that any ceasefire must include explicit security guarantees from Western allies to prevent future Russian aggression.

Trump has refused to offer any such guarantees, leaving Kyiv in an increasingly precarious position.