The Trump administration has ceased all military aid to ally Ukraine, this March 3rd, according to a senior administration official, who said the aid would not resume “until President Trump determined that Ukraine had demonstrated a commitment to peace negotiations with Russia.” Taking place immediately, the directive affects more than $1 billion in arms and ammunition. It will also freeze deliveries of equipment from the Pentagon through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which administers hundreds of millions of dollars of funds which Kyiv can only use to buy new military supplies from defence companies within the U.S.
The order comes as after a heated confrontation in the Oval Office between President Trump and President Zelenskyy, Friday 28th February, less than a week before. Also present was Vice-President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. At the meeting, Trump and Vance berated Zelensky, accusing him of “not being grateful enough” for U.S. support in the war with Russia.
Trump and Zelensky met on Friday to sign an agreement that would turn over Ukrainian rare earth mineral rights to reimburse the United States for their military assistance over the last three years. However, tensions brewed in the White House and no such thing was accomplished.
The following Monday, multiple members of Trump’s cabinet suggested Zelensky was accountable for the altercation that took place in the Oval Office, calling on the Ukrainian president to show “remorse.”
Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick was one of them. In an interview on /CNN/ on Monday, Lutnick blasted Zelensky for “demanding”, as part of any deal, reparations, security guarantees and the concession of the Russian military from Ukrainian land. “It’s just way too far.” He told reporters.
In the months leading up to the 2024 U.S. election, the Biden administration “rushed to deliver” as much support to Ukraine as possible, amid concern that Mr. Trump would slash aid. This is not the first time that Mr. Trump has withheld aid to Ukraine as, just last year, U.S. military aid was cut for several months after Mr. Trump pushed Republican allies in Congress to vote against assistance.
Ukraine is heavily reliant on U.S. military aid. One of the most crucial parts of this aid are the Patriot air-defence missiles – the only system capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. The U.S. also equips Ukraine with essential maintenance and technical support.
Commenting on the decision, Zelenskyy said that it would be a devastating blow, but that “Ukrainian forces would keep fighting,” regardless of what Mr. Trump “says he’ll give us or won’t, what funds have been sent or haven’t, where we’ve invited or not.”
The response in Europe has been to reassure Zelenskyy of their “unwavering” support. European leaders said they were “doubling down” on supporting Ukraine. Zelenskyy was met with a warm embrace at 10 Downing Street when he arrived for an emergency summit of European leaders following the events in the White House. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defined the meeting as a “once-in-a-generation moment” for European security.
