The Blubber

President Donald Trump has ordered a halt to all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, intensifying pressure on Volodymyr Zelenskiy just days after a heated confrontation in the Oval Office cast doubt on the support of Ukraine’s most significant ally.

The U.S. is suspending all ongoing military assistance to Ukraine until Trump determines that the country’s leadership shows a genuine commitment to peace, according to a senior Defense Department official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private matters.

The official clarified that all U.S. military equipment not currently in Ukraine would be paused, including weapons that were in transit on planes and ships, or awaiting shipment in Poland. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been ordered to enforce the suspension.

Trump has been pushing for a swift resolution to the war that began three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine. However, during an Oval Office meeting last week, when Zelenskiy pressed for security guarantees to prevent Russia from violating any future agreements, Trump responded angrily, telling him to return when he was ready for peace.

This confrontation prompted European allies to scramble for alternative ways to keep Ukraine supplied with weapons and peacekeepers. However, Europe lacks many of the weapons and capabilities currently provided by the U.S., and allied officials have noted that weapon supplies may only last until the summer.

The full extent of the aid affected by Trump’s order is not yet clear.

When Trump took office, $3.85 billion in military funding remained from the previous administration under the presidential drawdown authority, which allows for the use of U.S. military stockpiles. It is still unclear whether the Trump administration would tap into this funding for Ukraine, especially since U.S. weapon stockpiles are running low and need replenishment.