- President Trump ordered an immediate halt to U.S. military aid to Ukraine, including midflight reversals of weapons shipments.
- The White House also paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine, straining bilateral relations.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky signaled a willingness to negotiate with Russia following the aid freeze.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Washington and Kyiv, President Donald Trump ordered an immediate halt to all U.S. military aid to Ukraine on Monday evening, with Pentagon officials confirming that planes carrying weapons were turned around midflight.
The move came just days after a heated Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which the U.S. president accused Zelensky of being "ungrateful" for American support. By Tuesday, the White House had also paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine, further straining the already fragile relationship between the two nations.
The abrupt suspension of aid and intelligence marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, which has relied heavily on American support since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argue it undermines Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. However, many see it as a necessary step to pressure Zelensky into peace negotiations with Moscow.
Midflight reversals underscore how serious Trump is
The Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday that all U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine were halted as of 6 p.m. on Monday, following Trump’s direct order. According to defense officials, planes en route to Ukraine were forced to turn around midflight, underscoring the immediacy of the president’s directive. The pause affects not only military aid but also raises questions about Ukraine’s direct contracts with U.S. weapons manufacturers under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which had $1.7 billion in unused funds as of mid-December.
The move came after a contentious meeting last Friday between Trump and Zelensky, during which the Ukrainian leader was berated for not expressing sufficient gratitude for U.S. support. The meeting ended with Trump abruptly dismissing Zelensky, canceling a planned lunch and press conference.
Zelensky’s shift toward negotiations
Hours after the aid freeze took effect, Zelensky signaled a willingness to negotiate with Russia, a big departure from his previous stance. “None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. Zelensky’s sudden openness to talks is likely a direct result of Trump’s pressure tactics, which have left Ukraine vulnerable on the battlefield.
The U.S. has been a critical supplier of advanced weapons systems, including Patriot missile batteries and long-range ATACMS missiles, which have allowed Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory. Without these systems, Ukraine’s defensive capabilities could be severely compromised, leading to increased civilian casualties and territorial losses.
Intelligence sharing paused
In addition to halting military aid, the Trump administration has also paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move that could have immediate and devastating consequences for Kyiv’s war effort. U.S. intelligence has been instrumental in helping Ukraine anticipate Russian military movements and target enemy positions.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed the pause on Wednesday, stating that the administration is reviewing “all aspects of this relationship.” CIA Director John Ratcliffe suggested the decision was tied to Trump’s desire to see Zelensky commit to peace talks. “On the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen will go away, and we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine,” Ratcliffe said.
The U.S. aid freeze has placed additional pressure on European allies to step up their support for Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a plan to mobilize up to 800 billion Euros ($850 billion) for defense and Ukraine aid, but experts warn that Europe cannot fully compensate for the loss of U.S. assistance.
Trump’s decision to halt aid and intelligence sharing represents a high-stakes gamble aimed at forcing Ukraine to the negotiating table. While it has already prompted Zelensky to express a willingness to talk, it remains to be seen whether any real progress will be made with a leader who seems determined to prolong the war.
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