U.S. President Donald Trump halts all U.S. military aid to Ukraine After Oval Office Clash

Following his confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended all military assistance to Ukraine, a White House official announced Monday.

“President 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,” said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Mr. Zelenskyy’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside office hours.

The move comes after Mr. Trump upended U.S. policy on Ukraine and Russia upon taking office in January, taking a more accommodative approach to Moscow — and following a heated exchange with Mr. Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, during which Trump accused him of not being adequately appreciative of Washington’s support in the struggle against Russia.

Earlier, on Monday, March 3, 2025, Mr. Trump responded furiously to an Associated Press report that quoted Mr. Zelenskyy as stating the end of the battle is “very, very far away.” He then reiterated that Mr. Zelenskyy should be more grateful for American backing.

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Mr. Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump used a different spelling of the Ukrainian leader’s name in his post on Truth Social.

But Mr. Trump also suggested on Monday (March 3, 2025) that a deal to open up Ukraine’s minerals to U.S. investment could still be agreed despite his frustration with Kyiv, as European leaders floated proposals for a truce in Russia’s war with its neighbor.

The Trump administration views a minerals deal as America’s way of earning back some of the tens of billions of dollars it has given to Ukraine in financial and military aid since Russia invaded three years ago.

When asked on Monday if the deal was dead, Mr. Trump said at the White House: “No, I don’t think so.”

Mr. Trump described it as a “great deal for us” and said he would give an update on the situation on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) night when he addresses a joint session of Congress.

Background of U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine

The United States has been a crucial ally of Ukraine since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the war that followed in Eastern Ukraine, offering Ukraine significant military support to strengthen its defense capabilities. The United States provided Ukraine with over $65.9 billion in military assistance during the previous administration, which included modern weapons, training courses, and logistical support. The goal of this assistance was to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while thwarting Russian aggression.

The Oval Office Confrontation

The aid suspension comes after President Trump and President Zelensky got into a heated argument at their most recent meeting. According to reports, the debate turned into a public argument about the commitment to and speed of peace talks with Russia. President Zelensky underlined the difficulties and complexity involved in dealing with Russia, while President Trump voiced his dissatisfaction over what he saw as Ukraine’s unwillingness to participate seriously in discussion.

Official Statements and Rationale

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a White House official said: “President Trump has made it plain that he is focused on peace. Our partners must share our commitment to that objective. To make sure that our assistance is helping to find a solution, we are stopping and evaluating it. The purpose of this pause is to reevaluate how well U.S. military support is promoting a peaceful end to the conflict.

Implications for Ukraine

Ukraine faces serious difficulties as a result of the sudden halt in military assistance. In its continuous attempts to repel separatist troops and the Russian military presence, the Ukrainian military, which has mainly depended on American assistance for training, equipment, and information, may encounter operational limitations. Furthermore, the suspension would encourage hostile behavior in the area, which could destabilize the already precarious security situation.