National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
US President Donald Trump has placed a hold on military aid to Ukraine, signaling his administration’s desire for a fresh approach to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The decision came after a heated Oval Office exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where Trump reportedly emphasized the need for Ukraine to prioritize peace talks with Moscow.
A senior White House official described the suspension as part of a broader reassessment of US involvement.
“President Trump wants to ensure every dollar of aid serves the ultimate goal — peace,” the official explained.
“This pause allows us to evaluate if continued military support is actually helping to achieve that.”
Zelensky, in response, expressed a willingness to work with Trump on peace efforts.
He called for an initial truce in Ukraine’s airspace and coastal waters and pledged to advance a minerals trade agreement with Washington to maintain economic cooperation despite the pause in military support.
The aid freeze has triggered mixed reactions worldwide.
Critics warn it could leave Ukraine vulnerable and weaken US credibility with its allies.
Others argue that prioritizing diplomacy over arms may offer the best chance to end the long-running conflict.
Moscow welcomed the move, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it a “pragmatic decision” that could push Kyiv closer to meaningful dialogue with Russia.
With Trump recalibrating US foreign policy and Zelensky walking a diplomatic tightrope, the fate of the conflict — and Ukraine’s security — now hangs in the balance.
