WASHINGTON: The US is pausing army help to Ukraine days after US President Donald Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within the Oval Workplace, a White Home official confirmed on Monday (Mar 3).
The official mentioned the US is pausing and reviewing help to make sure it’s contributing to an answer.
“President has been clear that he’s centered on peace. We’d like our companions to be dedicated to that purpose as nicely,” mentioned the official, talking on the situation of anonymity.
Zelenskyy’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark outdoors workplace hours.
The transfer comes after Trump upended US coverage on Ukraine and Russia upon taking workplace in January, adopting a extra conciliatory stance in direction of Moscow – and after an explosive confrontation with Zelenskyy on the White Home on Friday through which Trump criticised him for being insufficiently grateful for Washington’s backing within the battle with Russia.
The pause will final till Trump determines the nation’s leaders show a good-faith dedication to peace, in accordance with Bloomberg and Fox Information stories.
“This isn’t everlasting termination of help, it is a pause,” Fox Information quoted a Trump administration official as saying.
Bloomberg reported that each one US army gear not presently in Ukraine can be paused, together with weapons in transit on plane and ships or ready in transit areas in Poland.
It added that Trump ordered Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth to execute the pause.
The stories come hours after Trump advised reporters on the White Home that he had not mentioned suspending army help to Ukraine, however added that Zelenskyy “must be extra appreciative” of Washington’s assist.
Almost three years into the battle, Washington has dedicated billions of {dollars} in help for Ukraine.