Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm yet cautious welcome from US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2025 [Ben Curtis/AP]. Notably brisk, the handshake hinted at the complex dynamics between the two leaders amidst escalating tensions.
Recently, President Trump made a pivotal decision: to pause US military aid to Ukraine, a move that seems to heighten the ongoing friction between him and President Zelenskyy. According to various US media sources, citing anonymous insiders within the Trump administration, this pause will hold until Kyiv demonstrates a commitment to what Trump perceives as genuine peace negotiations.
A senior White House official, maintaining anonymity, encapsulated this stance succinctly: “The 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.”
This suspension comes on the heels of a heated exchange on Truth Social, where Trump accused Zelenskyy of leveraging American support for self-interest rather than peace. This led to a remarkable public confrontation between the two leaders at the White House, underscoring the deepening discord.
The implications of halting a flow of several hundred million dollars in arms and ammunition are profound, potentially crippling Ukraine’s attempts to fend off Russian aggression. The US Congress has yet to authorize fresh military aid beyond the extensive financial commitments already allocated since Trump’s presidency began.
Former President Joe Biden had previously approved arrangements ensuring a steady supply of resources to Ukraine for years into the future. Despite this, the US Department of Defense reports that America has invested approximately $182.8 billion since Russia’s large-scale offensive took off in 2022, a figure encompassing broader security budgets, including training operations in Europe.
An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) had predicted that aid deliveries would escalate to $920 million monthly this year. This figure surpasses last year’s $500 million and highlights the strategic shifts in US support.
In a heartfelt segment aired on NBC’s Meet the Press, Zelenskyy candidly shared, “Our survival hangs precariously without the steadfast support of the US.” Mark Cancian, a seasoned former US Marine Corps colonel, expanded on this, advising Al Jazeera that the absence of American military supplies will gradually erode Ukraine’s defense capabilities. “I estimate that Ukrainian forces might hold their ground for two to four months before vulnerabilities become exposed,” Cancian assessed.
The relationship between the US and Ukraine hit a new low following Trump’s rebuttal to Zelenskyy’s sobering prediction about the war’s ongoing nature. Speaking from the White House, Trump insisted, “He better not be right,” emphasizing that the war needs to conclude swiftly. “Anyone not willing to strike a deal won’t be heeded for long,” Trump insisted, casting a shadow of urgency over peace efforts.
In response, Zelenskyy took to X to diplomatically convey Ukraine’s commitment to working with international partners, although he didn’t directly reference Trump’s criticism. “We’ve initiated dialogues and are prepared for further steps. Our diplomacy must genuinely contribute to ending this conflict,” Zelenskyy stated. “Ukrainians crave peace more than anyone, with our cities turned to ruins and lives lost. Our collaboration with the US and European allies is vital for peace, which we need urgently.”
Zelenskyy’s office has yet to make an official response to the sudden halt in US aid.
As expected, Trump’s latest move has sparked significant backlash, with Democratic lawmakers leading the criticism. Representative Pramila Jayapal decried this pause as a historical mistake, declaring, “This is not about peace. Trump aligns with totalitarianism over democratic principles.” Michael McFaul, the former US ambassador to Russia, echoed similar sentiments, labeling the decision as “tragic” and illustrative of “weakness.”
The onus now falls on Europe to redouble efforts in championing Ukraine’s cause and prompting dialogue to end the conflict. Leaders from the UK and France are scrutinizing viable peace proposals following the Trump-Zelenskyy face-off. “Various options are being considered,” remarked the spokesman for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The UK, along with France, has shown willingness to deploy peacekeeping forces in the event of a ceasefire, albeit contingent on US security assurances. Cancian concluded that Europe would need to enhance its military commitments significantly, but cautioned that ramping up such support is logistically challenging and cannot be accomplished overnight.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
