White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated on Wednesday that President Donald Trump would consider restarting aid to Ukraine, pending the launch of peace negotiations and confidence-building measures. In a Fox News interview, Waltz emphasized, “If negotiations can be solidified and confidence-building measures are introduced, the president will consider lifting the current pause on aid.”
This followed Trump’s action on Monday to freeze military aid to Ukraine, a dramatic shift from U.S. policy towards one of greater conciliation with Russia. This was followed quickly by Trump saying he had received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating he would negotiate.
Waltz referred to Zelenskyy’s letter as a “good, positive first step.” He stressed that there are ongoing negotiations to determine the date, the site, and the negotiating team in an effort to end the conflict. Confidence-building measures are being negotiated, but Waltz wouldn’t indicate what those measures might be.
The tensions of the recent past between Washington and Kyiv became evident after a televised brawl in the Oval Office last week that led to the cancellation of critical military aid. Vice President JD Vance denounced Zelenskyy while in attendance at that meeting, and Trump was also upset with the negotiating position of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy then tried to make amends with Trump, calling their dispute “regrettable.” In his recent address to Congress, Trump read from Zelenskyy’s letter, which showed Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate for eternal peace.
Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko offered to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, suggesting that there is a need for dialogue. The suspension of aid has raised eyebrows among allies, particularly as Trump seeks to push forward with ties with Moscow, with implications for future negotiations.
