Following the fiery Oval Meeting on Friday (February 28), the Trump administration are understood to be considering their next move
Just three days after President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance berated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, the US has announced it has paused all aid to war-torn Ukraine.
Tense White House Meeting Ends in Standoff as U.S. Freezes Ukraine Aid
What was meant to be a diplomatic discussion quickly turned into a heated exchange when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the White House on February 28.
The conversation, originally intended to explore potential solutions to end the war in Eastern Europe, quickly soured. As soon as the cameras started rolling, Vance accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting both Trump and the U.S., repeatedly demanding that he “thank” the former president.
Trump, in turn, warned the Ukrainian leader that he was “gambling with World War III,” urging him to reconsider his stance. In a moment of visible frustration, Zelenskyy fired back, challenging both Trump and Vance:
“Have you ever been to Ukraine? Seen what problems we have? Come once.”
Following the tense standoff, two U.S. officials confirmed that the Trump administration has decided to pause all military aid to Ukraine, signaling a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy amid the ongoing conflict.
U.S. Pauses Military Aid to Ukraine Following Heated White House Meeting
As tensions between Washington and Kyiv reach new heights, the Trump administration has officially paused military aid to Ukraine, citing the need to reassess its role in achieving peace.
A White House official confirmed the decision on March 3, telling NBC News:
“The president has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”
This comes just weeks after the State Department revealed that the U.S. has provided a staggering $65.9 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022.
During the intense February 28 White House meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of the broader consequences of the war, stating:
“During the war, everyone has problems. Just because you don’t feel it now doesn’t mean you won’t in the future.”
With military aid now under review, the next steps in U.S. support for Ukraine remain uncertain, sparking fresh concerns about the future of the conflict.
Trump Clashes with Zelenskyy in Heated White House Exchange
Tensions boiled over during the February 28 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, as the conversation quickly turned combative.
When Zelenskyy pushed back against the administration’s stance on military aid, Trump cut in, asserting:
“You’re in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good. We’re going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now, not in a very good position—you’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position.”
With his voice rising, Trump went even further, delivering a stark warning:
“You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards… You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War Three! And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country—this country.”
The confrontation underscores the growing strain in U.S.-Ukraine relations, particularly in light of the administration’s decision to pause military aid—a move that has sent shockwaves through international diplomatic circles.
