On March 4, Eastern Time, U.S. President Trump once again fiercely criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky, accusing him of being "unwilling to push for peace," further escalating the conflict between the two. Meanwhile, informed officials have revealed that the U.S. government has suspended new weapons supplies to Ukraine and is considering freezing the transport routes of existing stockpiled weapons. This move may have profound implications for the Ukrainian war situation.
White House Meeting Breaks Down, Conflict Becomes Public
The discord between Trump and Zelensky became evident during last week's meeting at the White House. According to sources, the two had a heated argument during the talks, leading to Zelensky leaving the White House early. The planned joint press conference was canceled, and the U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement they intended to sign could not be achieved.
Despite the cold reception at the White House, Zelensky immediately gained widespread support in Europe. Last weekend, he attended a summit in London, UK, which brought together leaders from more than ten European and EU countries, as well as representatives from Ukraine and Canada, to discuss the Ukrainian crisis and European defense issues. Before leaving London, Zelensky held a briefing, stating that Ukraine still yearns for peace but emphasized that "security guarantees are key to achieving this goal."
"Reaching a peace agreement is still very far off. The peace we desire must be fair, honest, and sustainable," he added.
However, Zelensky's statement drew strong dissatisfaction from Trump. Trump posted on his social media platform TruthSocial, saying: "Zelensky may have made his worst statement; America will no longer tolerate it!" He also accused Zelensky of "not wanting peace," and remarked: "As long as the U.S. continues to support Ukraine, Zelensky has no motivation to push for peace."
U.S. Halts Military Aid, Russia Welcomes the Move
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has suspended weapon deliveries to Ukraine and is considering freezing the transport routes for Ukraine's existing weapon stock. According to current and former U.S. officials, recent freezes on foreign aid by the U.S. government have led to halted funding for weapons to Ukraine, and the decision to close key military aid channels was made within days after the heated discussions between Trump and Zelensky.
The Russian side welcomes this. Kremlin spokesman Peskov said: "The Trump administration is quickly adjusting foreign policy, which largely aligns with our interests. Someone should make Zelensky realize the importance of peace if he is unwilling to push for it."
Analysts point out that the U.S. decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine may change the course of the Russia-Ukraine war and put pressure on European allies. How Ukraine will deal with the U.S. policy changes and whether it can continue to gain European support will become key issues.
