Trump pushes Ukraine to agree to peace deal, pauses military aid amid rising tensions

US President Donald Trump has long asserted that he could broker a swift end to Russia's war in Ukraine. In pursuit of this objective, Trump has engaged with the Kremlin while simultaneously pressuring Kyiv to support a peace initiative.

However, his approach has raised concerns in Ukraine and among European allies, as Trump has made US support contingent on Ukraine handing over a significant portion of its natural resources for exploitation by American companies, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The fallout from this strategy came to a head after a heated meeting at the White House between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, escalating already strained relations. The tension between the two leaders, once allies in resisting Russian aggression, is now further complicated by Trump’s demands.

The disagreement between the US and Ukraine grew when Trump ordered a suspension of military aid to Ukraine, including some intelligence-sharing. The pause in support has fueled fears in Kyiv and across Europe that the US may be attempting to impose harsh terms on Ukraine, potentially undermining the country’s sovereignty and its ability to continue its defence against Russian forces.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the US had imposed a temporary halt on military assistance, including critical munitions and intelligence vital for Ukraine’s operations. While Trump’s push for peace remains focused on Ukraine's natural resources, it has sparked alarm that Kyiv may face economic and strategic pressures in addition to the ongoing war.

Some US officials familiar with the matter pointed out that the suspension of intelligence-sharing, which is crucial to Ukraine’s defence against Russian missiles, could prove more impactful than the cessation of military supplies. With Ukrainian forces still relying heavily on US-provided intelligence to defend cities and counter Russian military maneuvers, this suspension has raised significant concerns about the long-term implications for Ukraine’s resistance.

The situation continues to develop, and Ukraine's leaders face difficult decisions on how to balance pressure from the US with their ongoing fight against Russian aggression. As the situation unfolds, questions remain about the extent to which Trump will continue to push his peace deal and how Kyiv will respond to these mounting demands.

By Vafa Guliyeva