President Donald Trump has reportedly refused to restore U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, even if Kyiv grants the U.S. access to its vast mineral resources. According to an NBC News report, Trump is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cede territory to Russia, move toward holding elections, and possibly step down. If true, this marks a major escalation in Trump’s shift toward a transactional, deal-based approach to Ukraine, one that prioritizes economic leverage over military commitments.

A Week of Chaos in U.S.-Ukraine Relations

This revelation follows a series of dramatic shifts in Trump’s handling of Ukraine policy. On February 28, 2025, Trump and Zelenskyy met in Washington to discuss a proposed deal in which Ukraine would grant U.S. companies access to its mineral and oil reserves in exchange for financial support. However, the deal did not guarantee any restoration of military aid, leading Zelenskyy to push for clearer security assurances.

Shortly after the talks failed, Trump ordered an indefinite suspension of over $1 billion in U.S. military assistance, halting planned arms shipments and intelligence-sharing efforts. The move sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, as European leaders scrambled to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s defense. The aid freeze has already delayed deliveries of critical ammunition and air defense systems, leaving Ukraine vulnerable as Russian forces step up their offensives.

Trump’s Reported Demands for Ukraine

NBC’s reporting suggests Trump’s administration has gone beyond cutting aid and is now actively pressuring Ukraine to make political and territorial concessions. The reported demands include:

• Ceding territory to Russia. Trump has long signaled openness to a negotiated settlement that involves Ukraine relinquishing occupied regions. This aligns with Kremlin demands that Ukraine formally give up land in exchange for a ceasefire.
• Holding elections under wartime conditions. Ukraine postponed its 2024 elections due to the war, citing security concerns and the impossibility of holding free and fair elections while millions remain displaced. Trump’s push for elections disregards those realities, forcing Ukraine into an unstable political process that could weaken its leadership.
• Zelenskyy stepping down. If the report is accurate, Trump may be demanding Zelenskyy’s resignation as part of a broader effort to restructure Ukraine’s leadership. Such a move would amount to direct U.S. interference in Ukrainian governance, a position that closely mirrors Russian objectives.

These demands would mark a complete reversal of U.S. policy, shifting Washington’s position closer to Moscow’s than Kyiv’s. If Trump holds firm on these conditions, it would mean the end of unconditional U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, a stance that has defined American policy since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Trump’s Business-First Approach to Foreign Policy

Since returning to office, Trump has redefined U.S. foreign policy as a series of business transactions, moving away from traditional alliance-based commitments. His Ukraine policy is now a purely economic negotiation, reducing military and diplomatic support in favor of resource-based leverage.

This approach has already caused friction with European allies, who now see the U.S. as an unreliable partner in defending Ukraine. France, Germany, and other NATO members have rushed to fill the gap left by Trump’s aid freeze, but they cannot match the scale of U.S. intelligence-sharing and weapons deliveries.

Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its military operations, seizing on the uncertainty to push further into Ukrainian territory. If Ukraine is forced into territorial concessions, it would mark a major victory for Vladimir Putin, validating his strategy of waiting for Western support to fracture.

What Happens Next?

The Ukrainian government has not publicly responded to the NBC report, but Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected any deal that involves giving up territory to Russia. Ukrainian officials have also emphasized that holding elections during a war is not feasible under the current conditions.

However, without U.S. military backing, Ukraine’s options are shrinking. While European support remains strong, it cannot replace the strategic advantages provided by U.S. intelligence-sharing and defense assistance. Ukraine now faces an impossible choice: reject Trump’s conditions and risk losing critical aid or negotiate under duress, potentially weakening its sovereignty.

With the war approaching its fourth year, Trump’s reported demands mark a critical turning point in the conflict. If the Biden-era policy of unwavering support is truly over, Ukraine must now fight under drastically different circumstances. Meanwhile, Russia is watching closely, waiting to see if Trump’s conditions will hand Moscow the victory it has sought since 2022.