President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a temporary halt to U.S. assistance to Ukraine following a tense Oval Office meeting, as he seeks to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into engaging in peace negotiations with Russia.

A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the administration is “pausing and reviewing” aid to Ukraine to ensure it is contributing to a resolution of the war. The official emphasized that Trump is focused on securing a peace deal and expects Zelenskyy to be fully committed to that goal.

The move comes nearly five years after Trump previously withheld congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in 2019, in an effort to pressure Zelenskyy to launch an investigation into then-presidential candidate Joe Biden—a decision that led to Trump’s first impeachment.

Since his 2024 election victory, Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the war in Ukraine swiftly. However, he has grown increasingly frustrated with Zelenskyy’s stance while simultaneously expressing confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted to uphold a ceasefire if one were reached.

Earlier on Monday, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for suggesting that a resolution to Russia’s invasion was still “very, very far away.”

The rift between the two leaders has widened, particularly after their contentious White House meeting, where both Trump and Vice President JD Vance chastised Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude for U.S. support since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The pressure on Zelenskyy has intensified as Trump’s allies urge the Ukrainian leader to adjust his approach toward the U.S. president—or consider stepping aside.

Following Zelenskyy’s remarks in London, Trump lashed out on Truth Social, declaring:

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!”

Later that day, at a White House event, Trump referenced Zelenskyy’s comments and warned that continued resistance to peace talks would have consequences.

“If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long,” Trump said. “That person will not be listened to very long.”

With the U.S. aid pause now in place, pressure is mounting on Zelenskyy to navigate the shifting political landscape, as Trump pushes for an end to the war on his terms.