White House halts all US aid to Ukraine
Photo: Tia Dufour
After a public dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States is suspending all military aid to Ukraine, including that ordered by former President Joe Biden.
According to a senior White House official speaking to Voice of America, Bloomberg and CNN have corroborated this information, citing anonymous sources from within the US Department of Defense and the White House.
The suspension order reportedly applies to all US military equipment not currently in Ukraine, including weapons being transported in transit on planes and ships or waiting at transit sites in Poland.
The scale of the weapons being suspended is unknown, but thanks to former President Joe Biden, the US was to send weapons worth $3.85 billion from American stocks.
"The President [Donald Trump – ed.] has made it clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are suspending and reviewing our assistance to ensure it contributes to a resolution," the official said in comments to Voice of America correspondent Mykhailo Komadovsky on aid to Ukraine.
Fox News also reported that the US is pausing military aid to Ukraine "until President Trump determines that the Ukrainians have demonstrated a commitment to good faith peace negotiations. "
Citing a senior Trump administration official, Fox News reports that the aid is currently being temporarily paused.
"This is not a permanent cessation of aid, this is a pause," the official told the publication, adding that "removal orders are now being issued."
According to the senior official, this is a response to the behavior of Ukrainian President Zelensky over the past week, Fox News reports.
Bloomberg also reports on the suspension of military aid to Ukraine, citing a senior US Department of Defense official.
"The US is suspending all ongoing military aid to Ukraine until Trump determines that the country's [Ukraine's] leaders have demonstrated a good-faith commitment to peace," the publication reports.
The article suggests the decision might extend beyond the $3.85 billion in equipment supplied under the previous Biden administration. This suspension could also affect American food aid that has been delivered or is currently being provided to Ukraine.
"The decision taken on Monday goes beyond simply cutting off funding, but jeopardizes assistance already being provided or implemented. This concerns the supply of critical ammunition, hundreds of guided multiple launch rocket systems, anti-tank weapons, and other assets. The termination of existing contracts with industry may also require the United States to pay some compensation to companies that have begun to fulfill orders," the publication writes.
According to the publication, if the United States terminates existing contracts with arms manufacturers, the government may compensate companies that have begun to fulfill orders under contracts for Ukraine.
Voice of America journalist Ostap Yarysh notes that the Biden administration's recent aid packages included:
- air defense missiles,
- HIMARS ammunition and artillery.
Indeed, the penultimate package, allocated a month before Biden's term ended, was supposed to provide the Defense Forces with air defense, artillery, and other weapons systems.
In addition, the Trump administration will review the aid to ensure it contributes to ending the war.
For reference:
As Rubryka reported, after the dispute between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump, the White House began to consider suspending all current military aid to Ukraine.
On February 28, during a meeting at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky argued with his American counterpart Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance about the Russian-Ukrainian war.
After that, Trump stated that Zelensky "is not ready for peace," but added that he "may return" if he changes his mind.
The head of state expressed that the disagreement was unfortunate. When questioned about any regrets regarding the incident at the White House, Zelensky stated, "Yes, it was not good." He believes certain matters should be discussed privately with partners, away from the cameras.
