The United States and Ukraine are working to arrange a telephone call between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, amid growing uncertainty surrounding recent reports of delayed or paused US military aid shipments to Kyiv.
The possible high-level contact was first reported by Politico, citing two sources familiar with internal discussions. The initiative for the call reportedly emerged on Tuesday, following a series of developments indicating that Washington may have halted certain arms deliveries to Ukraine.
A European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that ātoday, the US is briefing Ukraine in Kyiv regarding the decision,ā and added that āa phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy will also be arranged in the near future.ā The diplomat underscored that the United States has not characterised the move as a suspension or freeze.
āThe United States still actively supports Ukraineās defence. This remains a priority,ā the source added.
The situation developed quickly after the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned John Ginkel, the chargĆ© d’affaires at the US Embassy in Kyiv, for discussions on the status of military assistance. The talks followed media reports suggesting disruptions in scheduled deliveries of weapons and equipment.
Responding to these reports, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasised that the United States has not suspended all military aid to Ukraine. She described the Pentagonās latest decision as ājust one situation,ā implying it did not represent a broader shift in US policy.
For its part, the Ukrainian government has sought to clarify the scope and implications of the reports through working-level consultations with Washington. President Zelenskyy stated on Wednesday that āUkraine is clarifying details with the United States at the working levelā concerning the provision of defence assistance.
Although no official readout or date has been confirmed, the proposed call between the two presidents would be the first direct contact since President Trump returned to office in January 2025. While relations between Kyiv and Washington have remained officially stable, uncertainty around US support for Ukraineās war effort has grown amid shifting rhetoric in Washington and delays in authorising aid packages through Congress.
Since Russiaās full-scale invasion in February 2022, US military assistance has been a central pillar of Ukraineās defence. The Biden administration channelled tens of billions of dollarsā worth of military aid, including advanced missile systems, artillery, air defences, and armoured vehicles. While President Trump has continued to express broad support for NATO and European security, his administration has at times taken a more transactional or case-by-case approach to foreign military aid.
Defence analysts suggest that even limited delays or ambiguities in US deliveries could have operational consequences for Ukraineās military, which remains engaged in heavy fighting across multiple fronts, including in the east and south of the country. Ukraine has relied on a steady flow of Western-supplied equipment to offset Russiaās numerical and material advantages.
Despite the reassurances from US officials, the latest developments have renewed concerns in Kyiv and among European partners over the predictability of US support in the second half of 2025. The anticipated phone call is likely to focus not only on clarifying the current aid situation but also on reaffirming the broader framework of cooperation between the two countries.
