The United States has suspended all military aid to Ukraine following a heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House.
The decision, which includes both pending and in-transit military assistance, has raised concerns about the capability of Ukraine’s defense to contain Russian aggression.
The decision was confirmed by a senior Defense Department official who requested anonymity.
According to the official, the aid suspension will remain in place until the U.S. administration is satisfied that Ukraine’s leaders are committed to a peace process.
Trump is demanding concessions from Zelenskiy as a condition for resuming military support, including a firm commitment to peace negotiations with Russia. The White House has also indicated that it will review the effectiveness of the aid to ensure it aligns with efforts to resolve the conflict.
The order covers all U.S. military equipment not yet delivered to Ukraine, including weapons awaiting transit in Poland and shipments on aircraft and ships.
Trump inherited from former President Joe Biden the authority to deliver $3.85 billion in weapons from U.S. stockpiles but the sudden freeze has left European allies scrambling to maintain Ukraine’s defense posture.
Trump’s decision follows a contentious Oval Office meeting last week during which Zelenskiy pressed for security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression.
The unexpected move has sent shockwaves through European capitals as many senior officials in the United Kingdom expressed surprise at the announcement, saying they have not been informed of the decision despite ongoing communications with Washington.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who hosted Zelenskiy and other European leaders over the weekend, told Parliament that he was unaware of the suspension and described it as a potential threat to European security.
The European Union has proposed extending €150 billion in loans to bolster defense spending among member states. However, European countries lack the stockpiles of advanced weaponry and logistical capabilities that the U.S. has provided to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict.
The suspension of aid also comes as a blow to U.S.-Ukraine relations. Trump, who has been pushing for a swift end to the conflict, dismissed Zelenskiy’s call for security guarantees as premature and urged the Ukrainian leader to adopt a more conciliatory stance.
During a press briefing, Trump argued that Zelenskiy “should be more appreciative” of the billions of dollars in U.S. assistance and hinted that the aid freeze could be a tactical move to force a breakthrough in peace negotiations.
The impact on Ukraine’s defense capabilities could be significant. The freeze affects critical munitions, guided multiple launch rocket systems, anti-tank weapons and other military equipment that Ukraine has been relying on to counter Russian advances.
Analysts warn that a prolonged suspension of aid could erode Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defensive operations, especially with Europe’s limited capacity to fill the gap.
Defense stocks responded positively to the news, with shares of defense contractors in South Korea and Japan rallying on expectations of increased demand from European countries looking to shore up their arsenals.
South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace Co. and Hyundai Rotem Co. saw gains of over 11%, while IHI Corp. in Tokyo climbed nearly 7%.
Amid the uncertainty, Vice President J.D. Vance defended the administration’s decision, stating in an interview that both Russia and Ukraine would need to make concessions to achieve peace. Vance, who was present at the contentious White House meeting, suggested that Trump’s strategy might involve using the aid freeze as leverage to push both sides toward negotiations.
