The United States has abruptly suspended military aid to Ukraine, a move that intensifies pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate a peace deal with Russia.

The decision, confirmed by a White House official on Monday, signals a dramatic shift in Washington’s stance and raises fresh concerns about Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.

Public spat

The suspension comes just days after a tense and highly publicized confrontation between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelensky, with Trump pushing for an expedited resolution to the war.

While speaking to reporters earlier, Trump had hinted at a possible halt to aid, and now the decision has been officially set into motion.

“The President has been clear that he is focused on peace.

We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” a White House official stated, speaking anonymously to AFP.

“We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”

The decision puts hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance on hold, according to the New York Times.

The halt could have immediate repercussions on Ukraine’s battlefield defenses, potentially weakening its ability to counter Russia’s ongoing offensive.

Speaking at the White House, Trump criticized Zelensky’s resistance to a truce, warning that the Ukrainian leader should be “more appreciative” of American support.

“He won’t be around very long” without a ceasefire agreement, Trump remarked—a statement that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles.

Zelensky, for his part, reiterated Ukraine’s desire to end the war but insisted that genuine peace could only be achieved with solid security guarantees.

“Real, honest peace requires commitments to Ukraine’s security.

The lack of such guarantees in the past allowed Russia to launch this war,” Zelensky stated.

As concerns mount over Ukraine’s future, European allies, including Britain and France, are scrambling to propose a temporary ceasefire plan, potentially backed by ground forces.

Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, described Trump’s move as a “deliberate escalation,” fueling worries that Washington is shifting closer to Moscow.

With Ukraine now left in a precarious position, the world watches anxiously to see whether the suspension of aid will force Kyiv into unwanted concessions—or whether it will trigger an even deeper crisis in the region.