President Trump has decided to halt military aid to Ukraine following a tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The White House official cited the administration’s focus on peace as the reason for the aid pause, emphasizing the need for commitment from all partners towards this goal. The decision comes ahead of Trump’s upcoming address to Congress and amidst European efforts to form a coalition in support of Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.

The development on Monday marks the latest event in a series of events that unfolded during Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House last Friday. The meeting, initially intended to finalize a minerals deal as part of broader peace negotiations, took a contentious turn as Trump and Zelenskyy clashed openly over strategies to end the conflict in Ukraine. Trump accused Zelenskyy of risking a potential World War III and showing disrespect towards the United States.

Ukraine has been seeking security assurances from the US to prevent further Russian aggression in the event of a ceasefire, a commitment Trump has been hesitant to make. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has agreed to collaborate on a ceasefire plan with Britain and France, receiving support from European leaders with the exception of Hungary following the Oval Office meeting with Trump. The situation remains fluid as international efforts continue to navigate the complexities of the conflict in the region.