“Trump Halts All US Weapons to Ukraine—Aid Cut Off Immediately!”
U.S. weapons deliveries to Ukraine abruptly stopped Monday evening after President Donald Trump ordered a pause on all aid, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.
A defense official stated that as of 6 p.m. Monday, all shipments ceased, forcing planes carrying supplies to turn back. The move followed a heated Oval Office meeting on Friday where Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not expressing enough gratitude for U.S. support. Trump dismissed Zelenskyy, canceling a planned lunch and press conference.
Zelenskyy, previously resistant to peace talks without security guarantees, announced Tuesday he was now ready to negotiate with Russia, stating, “It’s time to make things right”. His shift came just hours after U.S. aid was cut off.
The Ukrainian leader also left Washington without signing a key agreement allowing the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals—something Trump argued would protect Ukraine by tying American business interests to its security.
While new Ukraine funding was never allocated under Trump, $5.2 billion authorized by former President Joe Biden remained unspent as of December 19. It is unclear whether Ukraine’s private contracts with U.S. weapons manufacturers will also be affected.
Ukraine Faces ‘Detrimental’ Impact as U.S. Freezes Aid
While Ukraine may not feel the immediate effects of Trump’s aid freeze on the battlefield, its defensive capabilities—especially air defense—could take a serious hit, leading to increased civilian casualties, warns Karolina Hird of the Institute for the Study of War.
Many of Ukraine’s key missile defense systems, like U.S.-provided Patriot batteries and NASAMs, are crucial for protecting cities from Russian attacks. With U.S. aid cut off, pressure mounts on European allies to fill the gap. On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a plan to raise nearly $850 billion for Europe’s defense and Ukraine aid, calling the current crisis “the most momentous and dangerous of times.” EU leaders will meet for emergency talks on Thursday.
Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, Europe has contributed $145 billion in aid to Ukraine, while the U.S. has provided more than $120 billion, according to the Kiel Institute. However, even increased European spending won’t fully replace U.S. support, particularly for Ukraine’s advanced air defense systems.
“The Europeans don’t have perfect replacements for the Patriot and NASAM systems,” Hird explained. Since the war began, the U.S. has delivered at least three Patriot batteries and 12 NASAMs—systems that intercept ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones.
The U.S. is also a primary supplier of 155mm artillery rounds, having provided Ukraine with over 3 million shells. Additionally, the freeze halts Ukraine’s access to long-range ATACMS missiles, which can strike up to 190 miles inside Russian territory—exceeding the range of U.K. and French Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles.
Despite Russia’s minor territorial gains, its forces have suffered “absolutely staggering” losses, Hird said. If the aid pause continues, Ukraine could start feeling the full effects by June or July, as weapons stockpiles run dry.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: All US weapons deliveries to Ukraine stop after Trump gives order to shut off aid