Trump reportedly to halt new weapons sales to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2025 (AFP Photo)
The Trump administration has reportedly halted financing for new weapons sales to Ukraine and is considering suspending arms shipments from U.S. stockpiles, according to a report on Monday.
The Wall Street Journal, citing current and former U.S. officials, reported that financing was suspended in recent weeks due to the administration’s freeze on foreign aid. However, the potential shutdown of the primary arms transfer pipeline to Ukraine comes just days after a tense meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting adds to tensions
The public dispute stemmed from Zelenskyy’s skepticism about Trump’s efforts to broker a deal to end the three-year-long war with Russia. The Ukrainian leader reportedly doubted that Trump’s proposed peace plan would result in lasting stability.
Following the argument, Zelenskyy left the White House ahead of schedule, and a planned signing ceremony for a deal on critical minerals, along with a joint press conference, was canceled.
“President Zelenskyy supposedly made a statement today in AP,” Trump said. “He said he thinks the war is going to go on for a long time, and he better not be right about that. That’s all I’m saying,” Trump told reporters at the White House
Without naming Zelenskyy, Trump also suggested the Ukrainian president might not “be around very long” if he doesn’t make a deal.
“Now, maybe somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, and if somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long,” Trump said. “That person will not be listened to very long, because I believe that Russia wants to make a deal, I believe, certainly the people of Ukraine want to make a deal.”
Trump responds to questions on military aid
Asked whether the U.S. would end military aid to Ukraine during a White House press briefing, Trump said, “I haven’t even talked about that right now. I mean, right now, we’ll see what happens. A lot of things are happening right now, literally as we speak.”
Earlier in the day, Trump warned Zelenskyy that continued U.S. support for Ukraine may not last “much longer” unless the Ukrainian president shifts his stance on bringing a rapid end to Russia’s war.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House is considering suspending shipments using the drawdown authority, citing a congressional aide and another individual familiar with the matter.
The State Department has not yet commented on the report.
Uncertainty over US military assistance to Ukraine
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided approximately $65.9 billion in military aid to Ukraine. While Trump has not officially halted deliveries authorized under Biden, his administration has frozen financing for new weapons sales and is now reviewing the status of shipments from U.S. stockpiles.
Internal debates within the administration continue over whether military assistance to Ukraine should proceed.
Reuters previously reported that competing factions within the White House were weighing strategic priorities, with some arguing for continued support while others push for reevaluating aid commitments.
European response and ‘Coalition of the Willing’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated on March 2 that European nations, including the U.K. and France, are working to establish a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine independently of U.S. policy decisions.
“European allies will go forth to develop a ‘coalition of the willing’ to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee the peace,” Starmer stated at a European leaders’ summit in London.
He emphasized that the U.K. is prepared to commit “boots on the ground and planes in the air,” adding, “Europe must take the lead in preserving peace.”
Earlier Monday, Trump had slammed Zelenskyy after he said while in London to meet European leaders that an end to Moscow’s invasion was far off.
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“This guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing.”
Trump also accused European leaders of weakness, saying that they had “stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the US.”
“Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
Zelenskyy calls for continued US support
Following Trump’s remarks, Zelenskyy expressed hope that Washington would maintain its backing for Ukraine’s defense. In a statement on X, the Ukrainian president emphasized that Kyiv remains committed to working closely with the U.S. and its European allies to end the war.
“We continue our work with partners. We have already had talks and other steps to come soon. It is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible. We need real peace and Ukrainians want it most because the war ruins our cities and towns. We lose our people. We need to stop the war and to guarantee security,” Zelenskyy said on X.
“We are working together with America and our European partners and very much hope on US support on the path to peace. Peace is needed as soon as possible,” Zelenskyy said, underlining the need for real security guarantees.
