President Donald Trump has ordered a pause on U.S. assistance to Ukraine following a tense Oval Office meeting, as he pushes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in peace negotiations with Russia.
A White House official stated that Trump’s primary focus is achieving a peace deal to end the ongoing war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The official, speaking anonymously, said the U.S. is reviewing its aid to ensure it is helping to reach a resolution.
Earlier, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for saying that an end to the war remains “very, very far away.” Trump’s allies have intensified pressure on Zelenskyy to alter his approach or step aside, as the U.S. president prioritizes a swift resolution to the conflict.
The already strained relationship between the two leaders deteriorated further after a contentious White House meeting, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance reportedly chastised Zelenskyy for not expressing enough gratitude for U.S. support.
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in response to Zelenskyy’s remarks.
At a White House event later in the day, Trump reiterated his concerns, warning, “If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long.” He further suggested that Zelenskyy’s reluctance to negotiate could impact U.S. backing.
Zelenskyy, who has emphasized the need for substantive diplomacy, responded indirectly to Trump’s criticism, stating, “We need real peace, and Ukrainians want it most because the war ruins our cities and towns. We lose our people. We need to stop the war and guarantee security.”
Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, questioned whether Zelenskyy is personally and politically ready to work toward ending the war. Other Trump allies, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Lindsey Graham, have expressed growing frustration with Zelenskyy’s leadership.
The rift between Trump and Zelenskyy has raised concerns in Europe, where leaders fear it may weaken the Western alliance against Russia. Angela Stent, a former U.S. intelligence officer, suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin sees the divisions as an advantage, believing that the West will become increasingly fractured.
Plans for a U.S.-Ukraine economic deal, which would have granted the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals as partial repayment for more than $180 billion in aid, were derailed after the Oval Office confrontation. However, Trump hinted on Monday that he still supports the agreement, calling it “a great deal” and indicating he may address it in his upcoming congressional speech.
Despite the setback, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, spoke with Zelenskyy’s chief of staff and expressed optimism that the mineral rights deal will soon be finalized.
