The US President is to turn the thumb screws on President Volodymyr Zelensky to force him to quit as the Ukrainian leader.
The German publication Bild reported citing their own sources on Monday that Donald Trump is considering pausing all military aid to Ukraine until President Zelensky steps down.
Political commentator Thomas Yeager suggested to Bild that President Trump could be “taking revenge on Zelensky for refusing to provide dirt on the son” of the former US President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden in 2020, Interfax Ukraine reported.
He also pointed out that should Ukraine hold elections this year, this would be welcomed by Vladimir Putin.
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NBC News reported on Sunday, The US President reportedly told his closest aides that he will not restart military aid to Ukraine or intelligence even if Kyiv does sign the minerals deal.
NBC News quoted an unnamed Trump administration official that the US President wants President Volodymyr Zelensky to make concessions to Vladimir Putin to give up the occupied territories, this is something Kyiv officials and the Ukrainian leader have said no to previously.
The US President is also considering withdrawing 35,000 US troops from Germany to Hungary whose leader is pro-Vladimir Putin.
The Telegraph cited sources that Donald Trump has repeatedly “warned” Europe must commit more defence spending.
The Telegraph reported, “The US president, who has repeatedly warned that Europe must commit more to its defensive capabilities, is becoming increasingly frustrated that the continent is ‘pushing for war,’ sources close to the administration said.
“About 160,000 active-duty personnel are stationed outside of the United States, a vast quantity of whom are in Germany.”
Brian Hughes the US National Security spokesman said, “While no specific announcement is imminent, the US military is always considering the redeployment of troops around the world to best address current threats to our interests.”