On Monday, US President Donald Trump put a “pause” on all military assistance to Ukraine. This decision follows a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, casting uncertainty over continued US support for Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, citing a senior Defence Department official, the aid suspension will remain in place until Trump is convinced that Ukraine’s leadership is making a genuine effort toward peace.

The report states that all U.S. military equipment destined for Ukraine would be put on hold, including weapons already in transit by air or sea and those awaiting transfer in Poland. This decision follows a public confrontation between Trump and Zelensky during their Friday meeting at the Oval Office in Washington. Zelensky had travelled to the U.S. to finalise a minerals agreement. But the deal collapsed after he requested a security guarantee from the Trump administration to protect Ukraine from a potential future Russian invasion.

Despite this, Donald Trump continued providing military aid to Ukraine in January. In January, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared a 90-day suspension of foreign aid grants, except for those directed to Israel and Egypt.

In an internal memo, Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed that "No new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved," AFP informed.

Despite the suspension of foreign aid grants, military assistance to Ukraine continued. However, the situation shifted after Donald Trump and his deputy, JD Vance, openly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his recent visit to the White House. Vance accused Zelensky of being "ungrateful," while Trump claimed he was "gambling with World War 3."

Trump has expressed his desire for an end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, though he has faced criticism for echoing Kremlin narratives. Meanwhile, European leaders have begun working on a peace proposal that they plan to deliver to the US.