• The White House has paused military aid to Ukraine, citing a need to reassess Kiev’s commitment to peace negotiations with Russia.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reversed his hardline stance, signaling readiness for a ceasefire and peace talks after a contentious meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

• Russia insists on a permanent peace deal, rejecting temporary ceasefires as insufficient.

• Trump has criticized Zelensky for prolonging the conflict and accused him of risking global stability.

In a dramatic shift, the United States has temporarily halted military aid to Ukraine, raising questions about the future of Washington’s support for Kiev amid escalating tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The move comes after a heated Oval Office meeting last week, during which Trump accused Zelensky of prioritizing prolonged conflict over meaningful peace negotiations with Russia. The decision to pause aid reflects a broader reassessment of U.S. involvement in the war, as Trump seeks to pressure Ukraine toward a diplomatic resolution.

Zelensky’s undemocratic actions

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has faced criticism for undemocratic actions, including suspending elections due to martial law and refusing to transfer presidential authority to the parliament speaker, violating Ukraine’s constitution. His presidential term expired last year, yet he remains in power. U.S. President Donald Trump has labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections,” while Trump aides have reportedly held secret talks with Zelensky’s political rivals, such as Yulia Timoshenko and Pyotr Poroshenko, to discuss restarting elections. Zelensky has also imposed sanctions on opposition figures, further consolidating power.

Additionally, Ukraine has taken measures to restrict the activities of some political parties that are perceived as pro-Russian or as posing a threat to national security. For example, in March 2022, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine suspended the activities of several political parties, including the Opposition Platform — For Life, which was one of the largest opposition parties at the time. These actions were justified as necessary to protect national unity and security during the war.

Similarly, there have been actions against certain religious groups, particularly those affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church, which is seen by some as a tool of Russian influence. In December 2022, Ukraine’s government took steps to restrict the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), citing concerns over its ties to Russia. This included raiding churches and monasteries, and there have been discussions about potentially banning the church altogether.

Even more appalling: Ukraine’s military, emboldened by US aid, fails to inspire conscripts into the war, and routinely engages in abducting young men, forcing them to fight on the front lines and die.

Aid freeze sparks diplomatic re-calibration

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the pause in funding during a press conference on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. “The National Security Council told me… they paused or they are reconsidering the funding for Ukraine,” Leavitt stated. “It’s a pause for a review.” The suspension of military assistance follows a contentious meeting between Trump and Zelensky, during which the U.S. president reportedly accused his Ukrainian counterpart of attempting to “sign [the U.S.] up and keep fighting” rather than pursuing peace.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe echoed this sentiment in an interview with Fox Business, confirming that intelligence sharing with Ukraine had also been halted. “President Trump had a real question whether… Zelensky was committed to a peace process,” Ratcliffe explained. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz added that the aid freeze could be lifted “if we can nail down these negotiations,” signaling that the pause is intended to push Kiev toward meaningful dialogue with Moscow.

Zelensky’s reversal and Russia’s response

In a surprising turn or perhaps a manipulative ploy, Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Ukraine is ready to engage in peace talks with Russia, proposing an immediate ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and a ban on long-range strikes targeting energy and civilian infrastructure. The announcement, made in a lengthy post on X, marked a stark departure from Zelensky’s previous insistence that peace could only be achieved on Ukraine’s terms.

“We are ready to work fast to end the war,” Zelensky wrote, adding that his team is prepared to work under Trump’s leadership to achieve a lasting peace. The Ukrainian leader’s reversal came after reports of the U.S. aid freeze, even as Western allies, including the UK and France, proposed new aid packages and boots on the ground.

Meanwhile, Moscow has dismissed the idea of a temporary ceasefire, emphasizing the need for a permanent, legally binding peace agreement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded cautiously to Zelensky’s announcement, stating, “’Ready’ is good, it is positive,” but reiterated Russia’s demand for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.

Sources include:

RT.com

RT.com

RT.com