Key developments on Feb. 21: * Russia wants to declare 'victory' over Ukraine on Feb. 24, Ukrainian intel claims * Zelensky is not 'important' to negotiations on ending war, Trump says * 'No appetite' for new Ukraine aid bill, US House speaker says * Trump's envoy Kellogg praises Zelensky as 'courageous leader' after talks
A federal judge temporarily halted the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo that sought to freeze up to $3 billion in funding for various U.S. federal programs, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Jan. 28.
During a telephone call on Jan. 22, NSC employees, known as aides or detailees, were told that they were to leave the office immediately.
The Biden administration believes that large-scale sanctions have been more effective politically than designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, Ukrinform reported on Jan. 16, citing U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
The United States is not considering returning to Ukraine the nuclear weapons the country previously agreed to give up under the Budapest Memorandum, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in an interview on Dec. 1.
Two administration officials told Politico that the White House plans to expedite the weapons delivery amid concerns that a future Trump administration would halt weapons shipments before they reach Kyiv.
"It was confidential information between Ukraine and the White House. How to understand these messages?" President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a press briefing with journalists from Nordic countries.
The leaders of the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom discussed Ukraine's five-point victory plan as well as plans to provide additional military and humanitarian assistance on Oct. 18 during high-level talks in Berlin, a readout by the White House said.
The White House has rescheduled a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group for November in a virtual setting after U.S. President Joe Biden cancelled his foreign trips earlier this month to handle the consequences of repeated hurricanes at home.
"Let's not forget, it is concerning, especially when we know the former president was lobbying against more aid for Ukraine — to Ukraine to defend themselves against Russia's aggression," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pushed back on calls from top Republicans to investigate President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit to a Pennsylvania ammunition plant, telling reporters on Sept. 26 that it was a "political stunt" and that they "need to drop this." Zelensky visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant
The United States is preparing a military aid package for Ukraine worth over $8 billion, Reuters reported on Sept. 25, citing two U.S. officials.
"The leaders will discuss the state of the war between Russia and Ukraine, including Ukraine’s strategic planning and U.S. support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
The Biden administration is leading "urgent discussions" with U.S. Congress to allow it to use around $6 billion in assistance for Ukraine before a Sept. 30 deadline, Reuters reported on Sept. 5, citing undisclosed sources.
"The argument that somehow, you just give them ATACMS and tell them they're gonna be able to hit the majority of Russian aircraft and airbases that are, in fact, used to strike them, it's not true, it's a misconception," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said in a response to a journalist's question.
"But make no mistake about it: This is Putin's war against Russia. And if he doesn't like it, if it’s making him a little uncomfortable, then there’s an easy solution: He can just get the hell out of Ukraine and call it a day," John Kirby said.
The administration will work toward "rallying a coalition of proud nations to stop (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from taking over Ukraine and doing more damage," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a national address on July 24.
NATO allies will announce their plans to provide Ukraine with a minimum baseline funding of 40 billion euros ($43 billion) for the next year at the Washington summit, the White House confirmed on July 10.
A recently signed partnership agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang should worry not only the U.S. but also China as it threatens to undermine the stability of the Korean peninsula, the White House said on June 20.
His statement came a few days after Kyiv and Washington signed a 10-year bilateral security deal at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy, which is recognized by the parties "as supporting a bridge to Ukraine's eventual membership in NATO."
President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 2 said the U.S. should allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia with long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles to protect lives.
If Tbilisi's proposed foreign agents bill is ultimately approved by Georgia's parliament, the U.S. would be compelled "to fundamentally reassess" its relationship with Georgia, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on May 14.
U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby did not rule out that the intensification of Russian attacks on May 10 may be a preparation for a larger offensive on the city of Kharkiv, Reuters reported.
U.S. President Joe Biden on May 10 authorized a $400 million defense aid package for Ukraine, according to a statement on the White House's website.
"That is why, for our part, we will continue to be concerned about Zelensky having everything he needs," U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby said.
The White House believes that House Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal on a series of foreign aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan appears "at first blush" to cover the necessary assistance, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on April 16.
