In a move that could significantly shift U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump is expected to meet with top aides Monday to discuss the possibility of suspending or canceling military aid to Ukraine.
The meeting comes on the heels of a heated and controversial exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just days earlier.
As reported by The New York Times, a senior administration official revealed that Trump's internal deliberations on Monday will focus on whether to cut U.S. military support for Ukraine amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The tension between the two leaders boiled over last Friday, when Zelenskyy, who had been in Washington to strengthen ties with the U.S., left the White House early following a fiery exchange in the Oval Office.
The confrontation escalated into a shouting match, with Trump accusing Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War Three." The dispute centered around Ukraine's handling of the war with Russia, and Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy's approach, which he deemed disrespectful.
The heated exchange also resulted in the collapse of a highly anticipated U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, which was designed to strengthen economic ties between the two nations and bring an end to the ongoing war. Under the proposed agreement, Ukraine would supply an estimated $500 billion worth of rare Earth minerals in exchange for U.S. support and military aid. However, following the fallout, Trump indicated that he no longer wished to revive the deal, further deepening the rift between the two countries.
Despite the fallout, Zelenskyy has refused to apologize for the exchange, emphasizing that Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression remains a critical issue for global stability. "There will be diplomacy for the sake of peace," he stated, underlining Ukraine's need for continued U.S. support in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Meanwhile, European leaders have continued to reaffirm their support for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of standing firm against Russian expansionism.