President Donald Trump directed a pause to U.S. military aid to Ukraine on Monday, pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in peace negotiations with Russia amid escalating tensions between the two leaders.
What Happened: The White House confirmed the aid freeze will remain until Trump determines Ukraine has demonstrated commitment to peace talks with Russia. A White House official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity described the move as “pausing and reviewing” assistance to “ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”
The decision follows a contentious Oval Office meeting where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy over what they perceived as insufficient gratitude for the more than $180 billion in U.S. military aid provided to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion.
Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Zelenskyy, particularly …