US President Donald Trump has suspended military aid to Ukraine in an effort to pressure Kyiv to agree to peace negotiations with Russia.
The move follows a public clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump warned that he will not tolerate Zelensky’s defiance much longer and said that Ukraine’s leader should be “more appreciative” of U.S. support.
“The President has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well,” a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The suspension of aid, which affects hundreds of millions of dollars of weaponry, comes as Trump seeks a rapid end to the war in Ukraine. On the other hand, Zelensky pushed for security guarantees as a prerequisite for ending the conflict, while Russia accused him of not wanting peace.
Talks between US and Russian officials on ending the war have raised concerns in Ukraine and Europe about the country’s future.