Defence Secretary John Healey is set to visit Washington later this week for discussions with his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, amid growing tensions over the future of Western support for Ukraine.
US Vice President JD Vance has strongly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of “needling” Donald Trump and displaying a “certain sense of entitlement” as the US President announced a temporary halt to military aid for Kyiv.
The move by Mr Trump appears to be part of a broader strategy to pressure Mr Zelensky into engaging in peace talks with Russia, following their strained meeting at the White House last week. The encounter, which was conducted in front of the press, reportedly left Mr Zelensky frustrated, with Mr Vance later claiming the Ukrainian leader showed a “clear unwillingness to engage in the peace process that President Trump has prioritised.”
Trump’s peace push and Zelensky’s resistance
Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Tuesday, Mr Vance said, “That meeting really set Zelensky off. He wasn’t willing to commit to a peace process, and that’s the real issue here. Frankly, he’s still not there, but he has to be. Eventually, I think he will be.”
Mr Vance also confirmed that Ukrainian officials attempted to resume negotiations after leaving the White House, but those efforts were quickly rebuffed by Mr Trump, who remains adamant that Kyiv must demonstrate its commitment to a peace settlement before receiving further US assistance.
The Vice President also used the interview to criticise Europe’s stance on free speech, claiming European governments were trying to “silence and shut down” dissent, particularly regarding immigration policies.
White house confirms aid review
Shortly after Mr Vance’s remarks, a White House official told the Associated Press that the Biden administration was “pausing and reviewing” US military aid to Ukraine. The review aims to ensure that American support is genuinely contributing to a long-term resolution of the conflict, rather than merely prolonging hostilities.
“The President wants to see real commitment from Ukraine to finding a peace agreement,” the official said. “Without that, continuing military support indefinitely is not a sustainable solution.”
Mr Trump, who has repeatedly stated that he is determined to broker an end to the war, suggested that Europe’s reliance on US support was emboldening the Kremlin. “This is the worst possible message Zelensky could have sent,” he wrote on Truth Social. “America will not tolerate this forever.”
He continued: “Zelensky doesn’t want peace as long as he has America’s backing. And Europe, when they met with him, basically admitted they can’t do this without the US. That’s not a strong stance to take against Russia. What are they thinking?”
European response and UK’s position
While Mr Trump remains firm on his position, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for “strong US backing” for any European-led peacekeeping initiative in Ukraine. During a high-level meeting in London on Sunday, Mr Starmer gathered European and Canadian leaders—including Mr Zelensky—to discuss potential pathways to peace.
Addressing the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Starmer reiterated that the UK remains committed to supporting Ukraine but stressed that Europe must lead the effort. “It is right that Europe takes on the primary responsibility for securing peace on our continent,” he said. “But to succeed, we need strong backing from our US allies.”
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns over a proposed minerals deal between Ukraine and the US, which had been expected to form part of a broader security arrangement. However, plans for Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky to finalise the agreement were abruptly halted after the Ukrainian leader cut short his visit to Washington following the White House confrontation.
Despite initial reluctance, Mr Zelensky has since suggested that he is now open to signing the deal, which would see Ukraine supply critical minerals to the US in exchange for economic support. However, Mr Starmer insisted that such an arrangement would not be a substitute for a proper security guarantee.
Frozen Russian assets and European contributions
As Washington reassesses its stance, European leaders are exploring alternative measures to support Ukraine. Reports indicate that Germany and France have initiated talks on how to utilise €200 billion (£165 billion) worth of frozen Russian assets as leverage to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, the UK has stepped up its financial commitments, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves approving a £2.26 billion loan scheme to help Ukraine purchase weapons and fund post-war reconstruction. The scheme is expected to be repaid using profits generated from the frozen Russian assets.
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Upcoming talks in washington
Against this complex backdrop, UK Defence Secretary John Healey is preparing to travel to Washington for crucial discussions with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The talks are expected to focus on Britain’s ongoing military and strategic support for Ukraine, as well as efforts to ensure that any peace negotiations are conducted on terms acceptable to Western allies.
Downing Street has emphasised that multiple options remain on the table, and no single plan has been finalised. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson responded to comments from French President Emmanuel Macron—who hinted at the possibility of a limited ceasefire—by stating that “various proposals are being considered, but no definitive agreement has been reached.”
As the diplomatic wrangling continues, the future of US support for Ukraine remains uncertain. With Mr Trump determined to push for a peace deal and European leaders increasingly concerned about the war’s long-term impact, Kyiv finds itself in a precarious position. Whether President Zelensky will shift his stance in response to American pressure remains to be seen.
