The Trump administration has decided to resume military and intelligence aid to Ukraine, previously suspended as part of a strategy to pressure Kyiv to make progress in peace talks with Russia. The move marks a reversal in policy by the White House, which froze arms sales and intelligence sharing in early March 2025, causing widespread controversy both in the United States and abroad.

The decision to resume aid was made after talks in Saudi Arabia, where a US delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian representatives, including the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. According to sources close to the talks, Trump agreed to lift the restrictions after the Ukrainian side expressed its readiness to discuss the terms of a partial ceasefire proposed by Kiev, which includes an end to air and sea strikes. An important factor was the signing of an agreement on the joint development of Ukrainian deposits of rare earth metals, which strengthens the economic partnership between the countries.

The aid freeze, which began March 4, affected more than $1 billion in military equipment, including air defense systems, artillery and ammunition, and halted the flow of intelligence needed to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks. The decision raised concerns among U.S. allies in Europe and drew sharp criticism from Republicans in Congress, who called it a threat to national security and support for Moscow’s positions. Senator John Thune stressed that the freeze was a temporary measure to encourage negotiations, not a complete withdrawal of support for Ukraine.

"We hope that this will lead to a sustainable peace that will respect the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people," - he declared.

The resumption of aid came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly reaffirmed Kyiv's willingness to negotiate, stressing that his team was ready to work under Trump's "strong leadership" to achieve a lasting peace.