Following a tense meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, the Trump administration has temporarily halted aid to Ukraine. This includes military equipment already in transit or situated in Poland. The administration seeks a stronger demonstration of appreciation from Ukrainian leaders for U.S. support and a firmer commitment to achieving peace in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

A White House official emphasized the administration's focus on peace and the need for partners to share this commitment. The aid pause is described as a review to ensure its effectiveness in contributing to a resolution. A senior administration official clarified that the pause is not a permanent termination but a temporary measure aimed at encouraging good faith peace negotiations from Ukrainian leaders.

The pause comes after a heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy during a White House meeting. The meeting, also attended by Vice President JD Vance, reportedly involved a proposed minerals-for-security agreement that lacked security guarantees for Ukraine against future Russian aggression. This sparked a public disagreement, with Zelenskyy emphasizing the need for substantial guarantees in any agreement.

Zelenskyy's reluctance to sign the proposed deal and his comments on Russia's continued attacks during Trump's first term reportedly fueled the tension. Trump accused Zelenskyy of risking World War Three, while Zelenskyy defended his stance and highlighted Russia's past violations of agreements. In a subsequent interview, Zelenskyy affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship and expressed gratitude for American support.

Trump indicated he would provide further details on the minerals deal during an upcoming address to Congress. He expressed a desire for Zelenskyy to show more appreciation for U.S. assistance, suggesting this would facilitate the resumption of peace negotiations.