Trump Halts Military Aid to Ukraine, Pressures Zelenskyy to Agree to Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump has paused all military aid to Ukraine in an apparent bid to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into agreeing to a ceasefire with Russia.

The decision leaves Ukraine, already grappling with a significant weapons and manpower deficit, in a precarious position as fighting on the frontlines intensifies. Trump, who has taken an increasingly critical stance toward Ukraine’s resistance, suggested president Zelenskyy “won’t be around very long” if he does not move toward ending the conflict.

A White House official defended the move late Monday night.

“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.”

Trump Administration Hardliners Blame Zelensky

The Trump administration’s strategy includes a push for an immediate ceasefire, with key hardliners—such as tech billionaire Elon Musk—blaming president Zelenskyy for prolonging the war. The halting of military aid is seen as a direct tactic to force the Ukrainian leader to accept Trump’s terms or risk battlefield setbacks, as well as a potential weakening of Ukraine’s air defense against Russian strikes.

This development also places additional pressure on European allies to formulate a peace plan that would be acceptable to both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Allies Consider Troop Deployment, Zelensky Hesitant

In response to the U.S. aid freeze, Australia indicated on Tuesday morning that it may be willing to join a “coalition of the willing” proposed by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, which would involve deploying troops to Ukraine. However, Zelensky has voiced concerns about allowing Western soldiers on Ukrainian soil as part of any negotiated peace deal.

President Trump’s directive will likely impact Ukraine’s military stockpiles immediately, though analysts indicate the country may have enough reserves to keep fighting until the summer at current operational levels. The freeze also affects funds allocated to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides U.S. dollars for new military hardware purchases.

U.S. Considers Scaling Back Intelligence and Training

Beyond halting weapons aid, the Trump administration is reportedly weighing additional measures to weaken Ukrainian military capabilities. According to The Washington Post, officials are discussing curtailing intelligence-sharing and halting training programs for Ukrainian troops and pilots.

At the same time, the White House appears to be pursuing closer ties with Moscow. On Monday, President Trump directed Treasury officials to draft a list of Russian sanctions for potential easing, while the Pentagon chief ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to stop counter-cyber operations aimed at Russian threats.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who recently clashed with presisent Zelenskyy in a heated White House meeting, reinforced the pressure campaign in an interview late Monday.

Speaking on Fox News, Mr. Vance accused Ukraine’s president of displaying “a clear unwillingness to engage in the peace process” but added, “I think he’ll get there eventually. He has to.”

Vance also downplayed the effectiveness of proposed Western peacekeeping forces.

“That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years,” he said.

His remarks appeared to reference British and French proposals to deploy peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

Trump: “If Somebody Doesn’t Want to Make a Deal…”

President Trump, speaking earlier in the day, issued a strong warning to Ukraine’s leadership.

“If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long. That person will not be listened to very long. Because I believe that Russia wants to make a deal,” he said

The military aid freeze follows a meeting between Mr. Trump and senior administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Reports suggest that there is division within the White House over how aggressively to push Ukraine toward a ceasefire.

Adding further complications to the diplomatic standoff, members of President Trump’s team have privately suggested that before negotiations resume, president Zelensky must publicly apologize for a reported shouting match during last week’s Oval Office meeting and explicitly state his commitment to peace.

With battlefield attrition rates at their highest since the war began, the sudden shift in U.S. policy could prove pivotal for Ukraine’s ability to sustain its fight against Russian aggression. European allies may now face increased pressure to step in where the U.S. has pulled back. However, with Trump aligning closer to Putin and making it clear that Ukraine must negotiate on his terms, the war’s trajectory could soon take a dramatic turn.

Mimi Mefo Info