President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended U.S. aid to Ukraine following a heated Oval Office confrontation, aiming to compel Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pursue peace negotiations with Russia. The decision came after a tumultuous meeting on Friday, February 28, 2025, when Zelenskyy visited the White House and faced sharp criticism from Trump and Vice President JD Vance for not showing enough gratitude for America’s support since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
A White House insider, speaking anonymously, revealed that Trump is determined to broker a resolution to the three-year conflict ignited by Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine. The official noted that the aid pause is part of a broader review to ensure U.S. contributions align with a path to peace, emphasizing that Trump wants Zelenskyy fully on board with this objective.
Trump publicly rebuked Zelenskyy on Monday after the Ukrainian leader remarked in London that a resolution to the war remains “very, very far away.” Posting on Truth Social, Trump called it “the worst statement” Zelenskyy could have made, warning that American patience is wearing thin. At a White House event later that day, Trump doubled down, saying Zelenskyy “better not be right” about the timeline and hinting that leaders unwilling to negotiate might not last long in his administration’s orbit.
The fallout stems from Zelenskyy’s cautious stance on ending the war swiftly. Responding to questions about a new European peace initiative, he told reporters, “We’re only at the first stages now, and until something concrete is finalized, I won’t elaborate.” He added that a full agreement still feels distant, a comment that infuriated Trump, who interpreted it as resistance to his push for an immediate deal. “This guy doesn’t want peace as long as he’s got America and Europe backing him,” Trump fumed online, pointing to Europe’s admission during talks that it can’t shoulder the effort without U.S. support.
Zelenskyy, in a subtle counter to Trump’s ire, took to social media to stress the urgency of “substantive diplomacy” to halt the war quickly. “Ukrainians want peace more than anyone,” he wrote, highlighting the devastation to cities and loss of life driving Kyiv’s desire for a secure resolution.
Meanwhile, Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, cast doubt on Zelenskyy’s willingness to compromise during a Fox News appearance, questioning whether he’s prepared to steer Ukraine toward peace. Other Trump allies, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Lindsey Graham, have intensified the pressure, suggesting Zelenskyy either adapt to Trump’s demands or step down. Johnson urged Zelenskyy to return to the negotiating table “in gratitude,” while Graham bluntly called for a leadership change if Zelenskyy can’t align with U.S. expectations.
Experts like Angela Stent of the Brookings Institution warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin may exploit this discord, seeing no urgency to end the war as Western unity frays. “Putin believes Russia is gaining ground,” she said, “and time only deepens the West’s divisions.”
The rift also derailed a planned U.S.-Ukraine economic agreement during Zelenskyy’s visit, which would have traded access to Ukraine’s mineral resources for continued aid repayment—valued at over $180 billion since 2022. After the Oval Office talks collapsed, White House staff abruptly ended the visit, though Trump hinted Monday that he still sees the pact as “a great deal” and plans to address it in his upcoming congressional speech. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, after discussions with Zelenskyy’s aide Andriy Yermak, predicted the agreement could soon be revived.