Trump Freezes Ukraine Aid, Pressures Zelenskyy for Peace \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump has ordered a freeze on U.S. military aid to Ukraine, pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to commit to peace talks with Russia. The decision follows a heated Oval Office meeting where Trump and VP J.D. Vance criticized Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude for U.S. support. The move has drawn backlash from Democrats, while Republicans push for a minerals deal with Ukraine as part of future negotiations.
Trump Freezes Ukraine Aid: Quick Looks
- Aid on Hold – Trump pauses all U.S. assistance to Ukraine, demanding commitment to peace talks with Russia.
- Oval Office Clash – Trump and VP J.D. Vance criticized Zelenskyy, accusing him of not showing enough gratitude for U.S. support.
- Trump’s Ultimatum – “If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, that person won’t be around very long,” Trump warned.
- Republicans Push for Change – House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Lindsey Graham suggest Zelenskyy should step down if he refuses negotiations.
- Democrats Condemn Move – Rep. Dan Goldman called the pause “another extortion attempt”, likening it to Trump’s 2019 Ukraine scandal.
- Russia Sees Opportunity – Putin welcomes U.S.-Ukraine tensions, believing the West is weakening.
- Economic Fallout – U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal collapsed after the White House meeting went off the rails.
- Next Steps Uncertain – Trump may address Ukraine policy in his Tuesday speech to Congress, while Republicans work to salvage the minerals deal.
Deep Look
Aid Frozen Until Ukraine Commits to Peace Talks
President Donald Trump has ordered an immediate “pause” on all U.S. assistance to Ukraine, further straining relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and intensifying U.S. involvement in peace negotiations with Russia.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the administration is reviewing all Ukraine aid to determine if it aligns with Trump’s goal of ending the war.
✔ “We are pausing and reviewing aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” the official said.
✔ The aid freeze will remain in effect until Trump determines that Ukraine is “committed” to a peace process with Russia.
The decision follows a tense Oval Office meeting where Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance confronted Zelenskyy, accusing him of failing to appreciate the $180 billion in U.S. aid Ukraine has received since Russia’s invasion began.
This move marks one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. foreign policy since Trump returned to office, raising questions about America’s long-term commitment to Ukraine.
Trump’s Growing Frustration With Zelenskyy
Trump’s impatience with Zelenskyy has grown significantly over recent weeks, particularly after Zelenskyy’s comments in London suggesting that a peace deal with Russia remains “very, very far away.”
✔ Trump immediately condemned Zelenskyy’s remarks on Truth Social:
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!”
✔ Later on Monday, Trump warned that Zelenskyy’s leadership could be at risk if he refuses to negotiate:
“If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, that person won’t be around very long.”
✔ Trump and his allies have also voiced confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump repeatedly stating that he believes Putin can be trusted to uphold a ceasefire if one is reached.
Republican Pressure on Zelenskyy Increases
Trump’s tough stance on Ukraine has been reinforced by his closest allies, who are publicly questioning Zelenskyy’s ability to lead.
✔ House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) declared:
“Zelenskyy needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead Ukraine.”
✔ Senator Lindsey Graham, who has been a strong advocate for Ukraine, suggested that Zelenskyy may need to resign:
“He either needs to send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”
✔ National Security Adviser Mike Waltz raised doubts about Ukraine’s ability to continue receiving U.S. support, saying:
“Is Zelenskyy ready, personally and politically, to move his country toward an end to the fighting? That’s the real question.”
These growing divisions within the U.S. government suggest that Zelenskyy could face increasing international pressure to negotiate or step aside.
Democratic Backlash: “Another Extortion Attempt”
Democrats have slammed Trump’s decision, calling it a reckless and dangerous move.
✔ Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), co-chair of the Congressional EU Caucus, said:
“This decision is reckless, indefensible, and a direct threat to our national security.”
✔ Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), who played a key role in Trump’s first impeachment, likened the aid freeze to Trump’s 2019 Ukraine scandal:
“This is another extortion attempt—Trump is once again illegally withholding aid to pressure Zelenskyy.”
✔ Biden administration officials pointed out that Ukraine still had access to $3.85 billion in unspent U.S. aid, which had been previously approved by Congress.
“Standing with Ukraine is standing for democracy and against Putin’s aggression,” Boyle said.
Economic Fallout: U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal Collapses
Beyond military aid, Trump’s friction with Zelenskyy has also led to the collapse of a highly anticipated economic deal.
✔ The U.S. and Ukraine had been set to sign an agreement giving America access to Ukraine’s critical mineral reserves, a move that would have helped Kyiv repay U.S. financial support.
✔ The signing was abruptly canceled after the heated Oval Office meeting, with White House officials asking Zelenskyy’s delegation to leave.
✔ Trump, however, signaled that he still supports the deal, calling it “a great agreement” and suggesting he may address it in his Tuesday speech before Congress.
✔ Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, confirmed that efforts are underway to salvage the minerals deal.
✔ “The deal will be signed in short order,” Fitzpatrick predicted.
Russia’s Reaction: A Strategic Advantage for Putin
✔ Former U.S. intelligence officer Angela Stent said Putin sees this U.S.-Ukraine fallout as a major geopolitical win:
“Putin believes Russia is winning, and he thinks that as time goes on, the West will be more fractured.”
✔ Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reacted to the U.S. policy shift, saying:
“The new U.S. administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations. This largely coincides with our vision.”
✔ With U.S. support now in doubt, Putin may push for even more military gains rather than negotiate a truce.
What’s Next?
✔ U.S. aid remains frozen until Trump sees a commitment from Ukraine to peace talks.
✔ Zelenskyy faces growing political pressure, with some Republicans calling for his resignation.
✔ The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal could still move forward, but only after further negotiations.
✔ Europe is now reassessing its own military commitments, fearing a long-term U.S. pullback.
✔ Russia sees an opportunity to further pressure Ukraine as U.S. divisions grow.
The future of U.S.-Ukraine relations is now uncertain, with diplomatic, military, and economic consequences at stake.
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