March 11, 2025 — Following a high-stakes meeting in Saudi Arabia, the United States has resumed military and intelligence aid to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia. 

This development comes after a period of suspended aid due to diplomatic tensions, which drew international attention following a tense exchange at the Oval Office between Presidents Trump and Zelensky. 

The discrepancy in Trump’s aid decisions, where Ukraine’s aid is selectively cut while Israel receives consistent backing, demonstrates that the U.S. has every ability to reduce aid to its allies, but consciously chooses to wield that power preferentially.

Standoff at the Oval Office

What was expected to be a routine diplomatic meeting between President Trump and President Zelensky on Feb. 28 quickly escalated into a public spectacle when discussions over rare earth mineral agreements and military aid became contentious. 

Trump accused Zelensky of failing to show gratitude for past U.S. support, while Vice President J.D. Vance suggested that Ukraine was acting entitled to continued assistance. Vance also pointed out Ukraine’s deteriorating situation, particularly its struggles with manpower and conscription, which he argued contrasted sharply with claims made by mainstream media and Ukrainian officials.

Throughout the meeting, as Trump insisted on the necessity of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Zelensky countered with concerns over Russia’s untrustworthiness. The discussion ended abruptly, with the Ukrainian president being escorted out of the White House before any agreement could be reached.

The fallout from the meeting was immediate. Just days later, Trump officially announced the suspension of all military aid to Ukraine, marking a sharp departure from previous U.S. commitments to the country’s defense. 

The decision drew criticism from European allies, who reaffirmed their support for Ukraine amid concerns over the potential weakening of its military capabilities in its ongoing war with Russia.

However, in the days following the aid cutoff, President Zelensky sent a letter to President Trump expressing a willingness to “come to the negotiating table” to reach an agreement to end the war and finalize the deal regarding Ukraine’s rare earth mineral reserves.

Strained Ties with One, Strengthened Bonds with Another

While tensions with Ukraine escalated, U.S. relations with Israel continued to strengthen. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington was met with a warm welcome from Trump, marking a significant development despite their past differences. 

The two leaders emphasized their shared commitment to Israel’s security and regional stability, with Trump reaffirming U.S. backing despite international scrutiny over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as its recent invasion of southern Syria.

Unlike Ukraine, which saw its aid package cut off within days of the Oval Office dispute, Israel continues to receive substantial military assistance, including a newly approved $4 billion arms deal. 

This disparity has raised questions about the administration’s foreign policy priorities, as one country faces a withdrawal of military support, while another continues to receive it unconditionally.

Mohamad Bazzi, director of the Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies, and a journalism professor at New York University, explains that “Trump’s sudden cutoff of weapons to Ukraine proves that the US president is capable of swiftly ending arms shipments to any American ally. But Trump, like Biden before him, refuses to use that same kind of leverage to force Netanyahu to change his policies toward Gaza.”

Shifting Foreign Policy

The contrast in how Trump’s administration is handling Ukraine and Israel signals a clear shift in U.S. foreign policy.

While Ukraine, once considered a critical ally against Russia, now faces continuous threats of U.S. aid withdrawal, Israel remains a top priority, receiving diplomatic and military backing even as global concerns mount over its handling of the war in Gaza and other regional escalations.

This is while Israel is not a NATO member, and yet the rapid deployment of advanced military assets to defend it starkly contrasts with the support provided to Ukraine.

The shift has not gone unnoticed among U.S. allies and international observers. European leaders have expressed concern that cutting off aid to Ukraine could embolden Russia, while others argue that the administration’s preferential treatment of Israel over other allies reflects a politically motivated strategy rather than a commitment to global stability.

As the situation continues to evolve, the widening gap in U.S. policy toward Ukraine and Israel may have lasting implications for America’s diplomatic standing and its role in shaping global conflicts.