WASHINGTON, D.C., July 2 (ANI): The Trump administration has paused select weapons shipments to Ukraine, including critical air defense missiles, following an internal review of military spending and foreign aid commitments, a senior White House official confirmed to CNN.
The review, signed off by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been underway for several months. While it remains unclear whether the decision will extend to military aid for other nations, the current pause directly affects Ukraine’s ability to bolster its defenses amid a surge in Russian air attacks.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly defended the decision, stating it was made “to put America’s interests first.” The administration’s move arrives at a time when Ukraine is facing near-daily aerial assaults from Russian forces, involving drones, missiles, and advanced weapons systems.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently appealed to Western allies to urgently reinforce his country’s aerial defenses. Over the weekend, a Ukrainian pilot was killed when his F-16 fighter jet crashed during a Russian missile barrage, highlighting Ukraine’s vulnerability in the face of escalating attacks.
Following the incident, Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s willingness to purchase “American systems” to enhance its air defense capabilities.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the United States has remained Ukraine’s largest single military donor, providing advanced systems such as air defense units, rocket launchers, tanks, radars, drones, and anti-armor weapons. However, concerns over depleted US stockpiles and shifting political priorities have influenced the current policy direction.
The landscape of support has shifted since Trump returned to office. In April, European nations collectively surpassed the United States in total military aid to Ukraine for the first time. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Europe has contributed €72 billion (approximately $84.9 billion), compared to the US’s €65 billion (around $76.6 billion).
The pause in aid follows a tense Oval Office meeting in March during which Trump reportedly clashed with Zelensky, briefly halting all military shipments to Ukraine. Shipments resumed a week later, but concerns remain over the reliability of future support.
Despite the current pause, President Trump signaled a potential shift in tone during last week’s NATO summit in The Hague, suggesting the possibility of future deliveries of Patriot missile systems to Kyiv. The US-made Patriot systems are widely regarded as among the most effective defenses against hypersonic and ballistic missile threats.
Ukraine currently operates around half a dozen Patriot systems, which play a critical role in shielding civilian populations from Russian missile strikes. However, Kyiv is reportedly at risk of running out of interceptor missiles, which could leave its population centers exposed in the coming weeks if resupply is delayed further. (ANI)
About The Author
