President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary halt to U.S. assistance for Ukraine after a contentious Oval Office discussion, aiming to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toward engaging in peace negotiations with Russia.
According to a White House official, Trump is prioritizing a peace settlement to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. The official stated that Trump wants Zelenskyy to demonstrate a firm commitment to that objective. As a result, the U.S. is currently “pausing and reassessing” its aid to ensure that it contributes to a peaceful resolution. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided these details regarding the assistance review.
This development mirrors a situation from 2019, when Trump delayed congressionally approved aid to Ukraine in an attempt to pressure Zelenskyy into opening investigations into Joe Biden, who was then running as a Democratic presidential candidate. That decision ultimately led to Trump’s first impeachment.
Throughout his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to swiftly end the war in Ukraine. However, his frustration with Zelenskyy has been growing, while he has simultaneously expressed confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin can be relied upon to uphold a peace agreement, should one be reached.
Earlier on Monday, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for stating that a resolution to Russia’s invasion was still “very, very far away.”
His remarks come as key Trump allies have ramped up pressure on Zelenskyy, urging him to alter his stance toward the U.S. president—who has made ending the war a top priority—or step aside.
The strained relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has reached a low point following their heated White House meeting, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance reprimanded Zelenskyy for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude for U.S. support since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Trump later took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to denounce Zelenskyy’s comments from a press event in London, calling them “the worst statement [Zelenskyy] could have made,” and warning that “America will not tolerate this much longer.”
During a White House event later that day, Trump referenced Zelenskyy’s remarks and suggested that the Ukrainian leader’s outlook was unacceptable.
“If someone isn’t willing to make a deal, they won’t be around for long,” Trump stated. “They won’t be taken seriously for very long.”
Trump took issue with Zelenskyy’s assertion that achieving a peace agreement would take time. Although the Ukrainian leader also attempted to highlight positive aspects of U.S.-Ukraine relations following last week’s White House meeting, Trump remained unconvinced.
When asked about a new European-led initiative to end the war, Zelenskyy responded, “We are discussing the initial steps today, and until they are formalized, I prefer not to go into detail.”
He added, “A peace agreement remains a distant goal, and no concrete steps have been taken yet.”
However, Trump was further aggravated by Zelenskyy’s insistence that progress toward peace would not be immediate.
“This is exactly what I’ve been saying—this guy has no interest in peace as long as he has America’s support,” Trump posted. “And Europe, in their meeting with Zelenskyy, openly admitted they cannot move forward without the U.S. backing them—probably not the strongest message to send to Russia. What are they thinking?”
Shortly after Trump’s comments, Zelenskyy took to social media, avoiding direct mention of Trump but emphasizing the importance of diplomacy in securing a swift end to the war.
“We need genuine peace, and no one desires it more than Ukrainians because this war is destroying our cities and claiming our people’s lives,” Zelenskyy wrote. “We must stop the war and establish lasting security.”
Trump’s national security adviser suggested that Zelenskyy’s stance during the Oval Office discussions raised doubts about his willingness to cooperate with the U.S. administration.
“Is he personally and politically prepared to guide his country toward an end to the fighting?” Mike Waltz questioned on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom earlier Monday. “And is he willing to make the necessary compromises?”
Waltz’s remarks add to growing uncertainty over continued U.S. support for Ukraine, as several high-profile Trump allies have hinted that the relationship between the two leaders is becoming unsustainable.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Sunday that Zelenskyy “must come to his senses and show gratitude, or someone else must lead Ukraine” if the country wishes to continue working on a U.S.-brokered peace agreement.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally and strong supporter of Ukraine, echoed similar sentiments following the White House meeting, suggesting that Zelenskyy should either step down and allow someone else to negotiate or shift his approach.
Angela Stent, a former national intelligence officer specializing in Russia and Eurasia, observed that Putin is likely in no hurry to end the conflict, given the growing rift between Trump and Zelenskyy, as well as divisions between the U.S. and Europe regarding how to proceed.
“He has no interest in stopping the war,” Stent, now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, commented. “He believes Russia is winning… and he assumes that over time, divisions within the West will deepen.”
Last week, U.S. and Ukrainian officials had been set to finalize an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical mineral resources—partly as a means for Ukraine to repay some of the over $180 billion in aid it has received from Washington since the war began. The White House also saw the deal as a way to reinforce long-term U.S.-Ukraine relations.
However, the signing was canceled after the Oval Office meeting went awry, with White House officials asking Zelenskyy and his delegation to leave.
Despite the setback, Trump indicated on Monday that he had not abandoned the economic agreement, referring to it as “a great deal.” He also stated that he planned to address the matter during his Tuesday speech before a joint session of Congress.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, spoke with Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, on Monday to discuss reviving the mineral rights deal.