US President Donald Trump has taken the controversial step of halting military assistance to Ukraine, signaling a change in strategy towards the ongoing war. The move follows a tense exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reflects Trump's desire to broker a swift peace deal, potentially involving concessions to Russia.
US President Donald Trump has made the decision to suspend military assistance to Ukraine . This move comes after a contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week and signals a shift in the administration's approach to the ongoing war. The White House stated that the aid suspension is a temporary measure while they review its effectiveness in achieving a resolution to the conflict.
A senior White House official told Reuters and other US news agencies that the administration is 'pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.'Trump had previously dismissed speculation about cutting off assistance to Ukraine, claiming it was not a topic of discussion. However, he acknowledged that the situation was evolving rapidly. In a separate statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the urgency of ending the war, stating that 'the goal here is to end a war that is costing the lives of thousands of people, destroying a country. Every day that goes by, the cost of rebuilding Ukraine gets higher and higher and higher.'The impact of the aid suspension remains unclear as US military assistance to Ukraine is distributed across various stages. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies reports that $28.6 billion is committed but not yet obligated, while another $34.2 billion is obligated but not yet paid for. An additional $4 billion remained unused from the previous administration. Vice President J.D. Vance argued that continuing to provide financial and military aid was not a viable strategy, asserting that President Trump's approach, focusing on economic incentives for Ukraine, was a more effective way to secure long-term peace.Trump has been highly critical of Zelensky's recent statements, claiming they demonstrate a lack of commitment to peace. He expressed frustration that Zelensky suggested a deal to end the war was 'far, far away,' stating, 'He thinks the war's going to go on for a long time, and he better not be right about that.'Trump's stance on the conflict has shifted significantly, moving from a position of staunch support for Ukraine to one of a mediator seeking a quick resolution that involves concessions to Russia. He has ruled out the US acting as a security guarantor for Ukraine. Following a heated exchange with Zelensky last week, Trump abruptly ended their meeting and canceled a joint press conference. Zelensky, meanwhile, has sought closer ties with European nations. He met with European leaders in London and held a meeting with King Charles. Zelensky remains committed to securing security guarantees for Ukraine to prevent future Russian aggression, stating that new air defense systems from Lithuania and artillery contracts have been secured.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed Trump's policy shift, stating that the new administration's foreign policy changes align with Russia's vision. Trump defended his relationship with Putin, emphasizing his previous actions against Russia, including providing Ukraine with lethal anti-tank weapons and imposing sanctions. He pointed out that Putin's past incursions into Georgia, Crimea, and Ukraine occurred during the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump himself
Politics Donald Trump Ukraine Military Aid Peace Deal Russia Volodymyr Zelensky
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine: US President Donald Trump allies pressure Zelenskiy to change course or resignTop Republicans aligned with US president Donald Trump pushed for the Ukrainian president to change course or resign as European leader rallied behind Volodymyr Zelensky Follow for live updates.
Read more »
Ukraine war briefing: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, say European ministersIf we can’t join Nato we must build our own, says Zelenskyy; Russian trial begins over explosion that crippled Kerch bridge. What we know on day 1,086
Read more »
Ukraine war briefing: Trump turnaround as he acknowledges Russia invaded UkraineUS president earlier drew criticism after saying Kyiv ‘should have never started’ war; Trump predicts Ukraine will soon sign minerals deal with US. What we know on day 1,095
Read more »
Trump Nears Minerals Deal with Ukraine Amidst Ukraine WarUS President Donald Trump announces he is close to a deal with Ukraine regarding the development of its minerals industry. This potential agreement could provide the US with a valuable source of rare earth elements, crucial for various technologies.
Read more »
Trump administration briefing: pro-Ukraine rallies across US as Trump officials fume at ZelenskyyProtesters took to the streets in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, with hundreds gathering to express support for Ukraine and its president
Read more »
Zelenskyy admits Trump White House meeting ‘not good for both sides’Ukraine president expresses regret over contentious meeting but says relationship with Trump can be salvaged
Read more »