Trump Administration Restricts Ukraine Aid to Push Zelensky for Russia Deal
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has curtailed aid to Ukraine in an attempt to pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky into agreeing to terms that include concessions to Russia, Axios reported, citing several Ukrainian officials and Al Jazeera. The officials indicated that Ukraine’s stock of Patriot interceptor missiles, provided by the U.S., is nearing depletion. They also revealed that U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has not approved the delivery of Patriot missiles to Kyiv, despite some NATO members having financed these munitions. Reportedly, Trump’s advisors Steve Vitkov and Jared Kushner have repeatedly urged Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries. Zelensky has proposed halting strikes on Russian oil refineries in exchange for Patriot missiles, but Ukrainian officials stated that Vitkov and Kushner showed no inclination to accept this offer. Separately, The New York Times, citing Ukrainian officials, reported that they are doubtful of Washington’s continued assistance as long as Trump remains in power. The Axios report emerges as President Zelensky announced on Monday evening that Kyiv might cease attacks on Russian oil refineries if it receives U.S. assistance for Patriot air defense missile systems. Axios also reported, quoting an American official, that Steve Vitkov is scheduled to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo, Norway, today, Tuesday. This American official added that the Oslo discussions aim to coordinate a proposal that could pave the way for resuming negotiations with Russia. The official further stated that after his trip to Oslo, Vitkov will travel to Russia to present proposals to Russian President Vladimir Putin, coordinated with Ukraine and European nations. The American official claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s objective is to end the war and create the necessary conditions for lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.
