President Donald Trump has given instruction that aid to Ukraine, including military equipment currently on route, should be paused. It is no doubt a devastating blow to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s efforts to make a compact with European allies – which all sides admit is without teeth, sans US involvement. But the price for continuation appears not to be that high. So why is the halt causing such consternation?
Speaking to Fox News on March 3, a White House official said, "President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace… We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution." The official made clear that the pause was only “temporary” and that the status quo would resume when Ukrainian leadership shows “a commitment to good faith peace negotiations.”
Ukraine Pooh-Poohing Diplomacy?
When Trump and Zelensky had their argument in the Oval Office last Friday (Feb. 28), the US president accused his counterpart of not wanting a peace deal and of deliberately scuppering a mineral proposal that would have inherently benefited the peace process.
The world media rounded on Trump and accused him of doing Moscow’s bidding – an idea that, given what actually took place, stretches credulity. Zelensky moved on to Europe where he was welcomed as a conquering hero, arriving to plaudits and promises that these nations would stand by him for “as long as it takes.” Notably, despite celebrations that a new bold coalition was forming, no talk of coming to a ceasefire appears to have materialized. Discussions ranged from oaths of fealty to providing “boots on the ground” after peace has been achieved.
In fact, taken objectively, only one party in this entire saga seems determined to bring the fighting to an end through diplomatic measures. But what prompted the announcement to halt aid?
Endless War, Again
President Zelensky told reporters, “An agreement to end the war is still very, very far away, and no one has started all these steps yet. The peace that we foresee in the future must be just, honest, and most importantly, sustainable.” It was the “very, very far away” part that appears to have angered Trump.
The US president responded on his TruthSocial account, “This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” He continued:
“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. — Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?”
And so here, finally, is the rub. Trump doesn’t believe Zelensky is pursuing a diplomatic end to war but instead thinks US and European support will continue indefinitely until the battlefield dynamic changes in Ukraine's favor. This approach entails more slaughter and misery and keeps the whole world on the brink of wider global conflict.
Push for Peace
So, what will it take to get the munitions and aid flowing back to Ukraine? Apparently, Zelensky must only demonstrate that he is willing to pursue a serious peace proposal. And in reality, this shouldn’t be that hard. Remember, this is not a court order to be analyzed for levels of commitment to a program. It is just asking that he be open to proposals that culminate in a truce.
European leaders, after slapping themselves on the back for taking a leading role on the sidelines of war, admitted openly that any efforts they make will come to naught if the US is not directly involved. America is not obligated to continue supporting Ukraine for “as long as it takes” in pursuit of a goal that is “very, very far away.” If Europe wants America at the table, and Ukraine wants US support, aid, and armaments, they all know the price: commit to pursuing peace. Why is that so hard for them to do?
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