US Halts Military Aid to Ukraine as EU Vows to ‘Step Up’ Support

The US has paused military aid to Ukraine, prompting EU leaders to pledge increased support. What does this mean for the war? Read the latest updates.

A White House official has confirmed to CBS News, a US partner of the BBC, that the United States is temporarily halting military aid to Ukraine.

“We are temporarily halting and evaluating our aid to confirm that it is effectively contributing to a solution,” the official states.

Vice-President JD Vance indicated that Ukraine has the opportunity to return to negotiations if Zelensky is prepared for genuine peace discussions.

According to our North America editor, Sarah Smith, this marks a significant escalation between the US and Ukraine, which will increase pressure on Zelensky.

The United States is currently the primary provider of military aid to Ukraine. BBC Verify has conducted an analysis to assess whether Europe could compensate for any potential shortfall in support.

This development occurs just hours after Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for stating that the conclusion of the war with Russia is “very, very far away.”

Here is additional information from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who previously outlined EU plans to increase defense spending.

“We are currently in a period focused on rearmament,” she stated during a news conference before detailing the plans.

She delivered a brief address to the media 48 hours ahead of Thursday’s summit, where these proposals will be on the agenda with other leaders.

The plan consists of three proposals:

1. Permitting countries to boost their defense spending without activating EU mechanisms for budget deficit sanctions

2. €150 billion in loans for defense investments aimed at enhancing the EU’s overall security. This funding would target areas such as air and missile defense, anti-drone systems, and military mobility. By pooling demand through this initiative, joint procurement efforts could significantly reduce costs.

3. Permit countries to reallocate funds designated for cohesion policy programs (policies designed to reduce disparities between more and less advantaged regions) towards defense expenditures.

Von der Leyen stated that her proposal could generate a total of 800 billion euros in defense spending, aimed at creating “a safe and resilient Europe.”

“We in Europe are prepared to take action,” she stated.

As Europe awakens to the news of US President Donald Trump halting military aid to Ukraine, more international responses are beginning to emerge.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala believes that Trump’s decision underscores the pressing necessity for a major change in Europe’s existing policy.

In a post on X, he stated that Europe “needs to enhance its economic and military capabilities and assume full responsibility for its own security.”

Fiala states that this necessitates higher defense spending and greater support for Ukraine.

We must not let Russia’s aggressive policies, which pose a threat to everyone, prevail. The time has passed for depending on others to tackle critical international issues for us. Europe needs to transition decisively from rhetoric to action now.

The leader of the opposition in the UK has called the US’s choice to temporarily halt aid to Ukraine “deeply concerning.”

In an article on X, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservatives, emphasizes that the announcement highlights a pressing need for Britain and Europe to expedite rearmament if they wish to extend more than mere verbal support to Ukraine.

She emphasizes the importance of “ensuring America remains engaged while keeping Russia at bay.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently announced that new EU initiatives aimed at bolstering Europe’s defence industry and enhancing military capabilities could generate nearly 800 billion euros.

At a news conference today, she stated that Europe is “prepared to enhance” its defense efforts. She mentioned that the EU plans to offer member states increased fiscal flexibility for defense investments and proposes providing 150 billion euros in loans to support these initiatives. Additionally, there will be an effort to attract private capital for further investment in this sector.

Before the announcement, Von der Leyen stated: “There’s no doubt that we require a significant boost in defense. While our ultimate goal is lasting peace, achieving it requires strength, which starts with fortifying ourselves.”