
The United States has announced it is suspending certain weapons deliveries to Ukraine that were committed under the previous Biden administration, as Russia escalates its military offensive.
The Biden-era commitments, which included various munitions to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses, are under review as the Pentagon evaluates current inventory levels. This move may indicate changing priorities under President Trump, who has advocated for a more limited global military engagement.
“This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated Tuesday.
A Pentagon internal assessment determined some stockpiles were “too low” to justify immediate transfers to Ukraine, according to an unnamed US official cited by Politico, which first reported the military aid suspension.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized that “America’s military has never been more ready and more capable,” noting that major tax and defense spending legislation in Congress would support long-term system modernization for deterrence purposes.
According to Politico and other US media outlets, the suspended items include missiles for Patriot air defense systems, precision artillery, and Hellfire missiles.
Following the announcement, Ukraine summoned US envoy John Ginkel to discuss continuing cooperation. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa expressed gratitude for US assistance while cautioning that halting military aid, particularly air defense systems, would encourage Russian aggression.
“Any delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities will only encourage the aggressor to continue the war and terror, rather than seek peace,” the Foreign Ministry stated.
Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands, reporting from Kyiv, noted that Ukraine would likely view Trump as “an unreliable ally at the moment.”
Russia welcomed the US decision, suggesting it could accelerate conflict resolution. “The fewer weapons sent to Kyiv, the sooner peace will come,” the Kremlin declared Wednesday.
The suspension occurs during a critical period as Russia intensifies its aerial bombardment campaign in one of the war’s most severe phases. Ceasefire hopes, previously promoted by Trump, have diminished as negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow remain stalled.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the US has provided over $66bn in weapons and security assistance to Ukraine. Throughout the conflict, Washington has encouraged allies to supply air defense systems, especially Patriot missile batteries, though many NATO members, particularly Eastern European countries concerned about Russia, have been reluctant to relinquish these systems.
During last week’s NATO summit meeting with Zelensky, Trump acknowledged Ukraine’s requests for additional Patriots. “They do want to have the antimissile missiles, OK, as they call them โ the Patriots,” Trump said. “We’re going to see if we can make some available. We need them, too. We’re supplying them to Israel, and they’re very effective. Hard to believe how effective.”
Be the first to leave a comment