Trump Aide Blames Ukraine Amid US Aid Halt

In a recent development, the White House informed Ukraine in advance of President Donald Trump’s decision to halt U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, as confirmed by a senior administration official. The pause was publicized following an Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which erupted into a heated exchange. The U.S. President, alongside Vice President JD Vance, criticized Zelenskyy for not showing adequate appreciation for the substantial U.S. aid provided to Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s invasion three years ago.

Former Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, serving as Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, expressed that the suspension is already impacting Kyiv, asserting that the Ukrainians are responsible for the situation. Kellogg depicted the move like “hitting a mule with a two-by-four across the nose” to capture their attention. He pointed out that prior to the meeting, it was communicated to the Ukrainian officials that the discussions would center around a crucial minerals agreement. This pact, still awaiting signatures, aims to grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth resources, potentially benefiting sectors such as aerospace, electric vehicles, and medical manufacturing.

The Trump administration views this economic deal as a mechanism to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine relations and to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from antagonistic actions against Ukraine. Despite Zelenskyy’s efforts to secure explicit security assurances, they remain unfulfilled. Kellogg mentioned that the negotiations took a negative turn when Zelenskyy urged Trump, who is striving to mediate peace between Ukraine and Russia, to support Kyiv.

Following the contentious encounter, Zelenskyy described the situation as “regrettable” yet expressed readiness to formalize an agreement. Trump remarked to reporters about significant “progress” made with both Ukraine and Russia, albeit without detailing specifics. Expressing his belief, Trump stated that both Ukraine and Russia are inclined towards reaching a deal, implying a lack of alternatives for each party.

In an address, Zelenskyy confirmed that negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. are scheduled for the following week in Saudi Arabia. He mentioned his plans to visit the kingdom to meet the crown prince, emphasizing Ukraine’s priority for peace. Another Trump envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed ongoing preparations for high-level talks with Ukrainian leaders in Saudi Arabia and noted Zelenskyy’s recent efforts to mend relations following the White House incident.

Despite Zelenskyy’s gestures, Kellogg acknowledged uncertainty regarding the resumption of weapon shipments, stating it rests on the President’s decision. He stressed the importance of conducting peace discussions privately and cautioned against challenging the U.S. President openly. During a congressional address, Trump shared that Zelenskyy had penned a letter expressing gratitude for U.S. support and Ukraine’s intention to negotiate with Russia and accept the proposed minerals deal.

The cessation of U.S. intelligence assistance to Ukraine poses a significant challenge, potentially hampering Ukraine’s defense against persistent Russian assaults. The Institute for the Study of War warns that the halt could exacerbate Russian drone and missile attacks, affecting Ukrainian civilians and the country’s defense capacity.