Donald Trump freezes US military aid to Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Volodymyr Zelensky over war with Russia

US President Donald Trump has suspended all military aid from the United States to Ukraine, impacting the support amid the ongoing conflict in Kyiv.

"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," a White House official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky's tussle

Donald Trump's move comes after the dramatic spat with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday.

A meeting between Zelensky and Trump led to a heated exchange. Both US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticised the Ukranian President over his stance on diplomacy with Russia. This argument cancelled the remainder of Zelensky’s White House visit and led to uncertainty over future US support for Ukraine.

Trump-Zelensky mineral deal

The duo also disagreed over the provisions of an expected deal that would provide the US access to rare earth minerals of Ukraine. Zelensky wanted Trump to include security guarantees or assurances from the US in the deal.

The Ukrainian president was presented with minerals for security agreement by the Trump administration prior to the press event, “but the deal included no security guarantees to protect Ukraine from another Russian invasion,” Fox News reported, citing people aware of the development. Meanwhile, Trump stated that the deal was important to repay over $180 billion in American aid sent to Kyiv since the beginning of the war.

Trump even accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three.”

“You don't have the cards right now….you're either going to make a deal or we're out, and if we're out, you'll fight it out and I don't think it's going to be pretty,” Trump said.

"You’re gambling with millions of people … You’re gambling with World War Three,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, Zelensky warned the US would “feel it in the future” if they did not support Ukraine.

“Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem,” Trump replied.

Trump's advice to Zelensky

On Monday, Trump again emphasised Zelensky should be more appreciative of support of the US while earlier reacting angrily to an AP report quoting Zelensky stating the end of the war is "very, very far away."

"This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer! (sic)" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

However, Trump stated on Monday that the mineral deal could still be agreed upon despite his issues with Kyiv.

US policy shift

The US administration's soft approach to Russia after the Trump administration took over is seen as a policy U-turn. To allay criticism after Ukrainian President Zelensky left the White House following a public spat last Friday, Trump said Americans should “worry less” about Vladimir Putin. 

Trump-led US administration is seen as getting increasingly critical of Ukraine while adopting a conciliatory tone toward Russia, in sharp contrast to the previous Joe Biden administration, which had backed Ukraine to the hilt.