WSJ reveals what influences Trump’s decision on restoring military aid to Ukraine
The suspension of US military aid to Ukraine may last until US President Donald Trump determines whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supports peace talks with Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported.
According to The Wall Street Journal, on Tuesday, 4 March 2025 Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Ukraine is ready to sign a minerals agreement with the US and negotiate under the strong leadership of President Trump to "achieve a lasting peace". He also said that he regretted the dispute that occurred in February in the White House.
US officials suggested that it is unclear whether Zelenskyy's statement is enough to convince Trump to restore US military aid to Ukraine, which the White House suspended on Monday, 3 March.
The officials said the pause would last until Trump decides that Zelenskyy supports peace talks with Russia.
The politicians reported that during recent private meetings, Trump complained that Zelenskyy had shown no intention of starting talks with Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin. They added that the decision to temporarily suspend aid was intended to show the Ukrainian leader that the White House was serious about a peaceful settlement.
However, according to the officials, even the signing of an agreement to give US companies access to Ukrainian minerals may not be enough to convince Trump to resume aid.
After the dispute at the White House on 28 February, European allies are negotiating plans to support Ukraine, while pushing Zelenskyy to try to mend relations with Trump. European leaders and Zelenskyy say that American security guarantees for Kyiv are crucial to any peace deal.
Trump said he was ready to discuss such commitments only after a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
During his speech to a joint session of Congress on 4 March, Trump read what he claimed was a letter from the Ukrainian president that was almost identical to Zelenskyy's post on X. In the speech itself, Trump said nothing about a minerals deal with Ukraine.