Washington, DC [US], March 4 (HBTV): US President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following an Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, Fox News reported.

According to Fox News, the Trump administration is halting all aid to Ukraine, including weapons in transit or in Poland, until Ukrainian leaders demonstrate greater appreciation for US support and a commitment to peace.

A senior Trump administration official told Fox News that military aid will remain on hold until Ukrainian leaders show a commitment to good-faith peace negotiations.

‘This is not a permanent termination of aid, it's a pause,’ the official emphasized. ‘The orders are going out right now.’

Last week, during a media interaction with Zelenskyy at the Oval Office, Trump used strong words, telling the Ukrainian leader that he ‘does not have the cards’ and is not ‘acting thankful’ for the support the US has provided since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

The two leaders had an exchange during an explosive press conference, with Zelenskyy stressing the need for security guarantees and noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin had continued his actions against Ukraine even during Trump's first term.

US Vice President JD Vance also expressed disapproval of Zelenskyy's remarks, saying, ‘It is disrespectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country.’

Trump emphasized the need for a peace deal and told Zelenskyy, ‘If you didn't have our military equipment, this war would have been over in two weeks.’

Earlier in the day, during an investment announcement, Trump spoke on a ceasefire deal and suggested that reaching an agreement between Russia and Ukraine should be possible if all relevant parties, including European nations, are willing to negotiate.

‘It takes two to tango, and if you are going to have to make a deal with Russia and Ukraine, you are going to have to have the assent and the consent from the European nations,’ he said, stressing the importance of getting all stakeholders involved.

He further stated that such a deal could be reached ‘very fast’ and suggested that if any party is unwilling to negotiate, they may not remain in power for long.

‘Maybe somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, and if somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long,’ Trump remarked.

‘Because I believe that Russia wants to make a deal. I believe certainly the people of Ukraine want to make a deal. They have suffered more than anybody else,’ he added.

(ANI)