President Trump has temporarily halted U.S. aid to Ukraine, a significant decision as tensions rise between him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over how to bring an end to the war with Russia.
A White House official stated that the move aligns with Trump’s commitment to securing peace, emphasizing the need for America’s allies to be equally committed to a resolution. “The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” the official said. “We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”
The pause affects all military aid not yet delivered to Ukraine, including munitions, anti-tank weapons, and other defense supplies that the U.S. has provided to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion began three years ago. Trump entered office with nearly $4 billion in approved funding for Ukraine, but much of that money now appears unlikely to be used.
This decision puts additional pressure on Zelensky, as he may need to work to regain Trump’s favor or risk losing critical support for Ukraine’s military efforts. At the same time, European allies are expected to step up their assistance as the spotlight shifts toward their role in sustaining Ukraine’s war effort.
By the end of fiscal year 2024, Congress had approved nearly $183 billion in aid to Ukraine, according to a federal government oversight office. Meanwhile, the European Union has provided roughly $145 billion in total assistance since the war began.
Trump made ending the war in Ukraine a central theme of his campaign. Since returning to office, he has engaged in discussions with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling his intent to shift U.S. policy toward a negotiated settlement rather than an ongoing flow of military aid.