Ukraine Sounds Alarm Over US Weapons Halt

Kyiv on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, issued a stark warning that any disruption in the flow of US weapons supplies could embolden Russia to prolong its ongoing war in Ukraine, which has now entered its fourth year.

This alert comes amid recent announcements from the White House that some arms shipments to Ukraine have been paused.

On Tuesday, the White House revealed the decision to halt certain military aid as part of a broader Department of Defense review, aimed at prioritizing America’s own interests.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly explained that the review was focused on “military support and assistance to other countries,” with the pause reflecting a recalibration of US defense resources.

In response, Ukraine’s foreign ministry expressed deep concern.

It emphasized that delays in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities would only encourage Russia to continue its aggressive war tactics rather than seek peace.

The ministry highlighted the critical importance of bolstering Kyiv’s air defenses as Russia relentlessly targets Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones nearly every night.

Following this announcement, a US diplomat based in Kyiv was summoned to Ukraine’s foreign ministry for urgent discussions.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense stated it had yet to receive any formal notice from the US regarding a suspension or modification of arms deliveries.

It cautioned against speculation fueled by incomplete information.

Nonetheless, the ministry underscored that the road to ending the conflict lies in persistent and coordinated pressure on Russia.

This warning came on the heels of Ukraine enduring its most intense aerial assault since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, with over 500 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles launched in a single weekend targeting Ukrainian urban centers.

US officials have not clarified which specific weapon systems are being affected by the pause.

However, NBC reported that the delay might involve critical assets such as Patriot missile interceptors, Howitzer artillery ammunition, various missiles, and grenade launchers.

Since the onset of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the US has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance to Ukraine.

However, some former Trump administration officials have voiced apprehensions about dwindling American stockpiles, urging caution to preserve US military readiness.

Russia’s Kremlin welcomed news of the US scaling back weapons shipments.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that reducing arms supplies to Kyiv would accelerate the conclusion of the conflict.

“The fewer weapons delivered to Ukraine, the closer the end of the special military operation,” he declared.

Within Ukraine, reactions were somber.

Fedir Venislavskyi, a Member of Parliament from the ruling party, described the US decision as painful and especially troubling amid ongoing Russian terror attacks.

An anonymous Ukrainian military source told AFP news agency that Ukraine is “seriously dependent” on American arms.

The source acknowledged European allies’ substantial support but warning that continuing without US ammunition would be difficult.

European support for Kyiv has indeed been substantial, with billions in military aid committed over the past three and a half years.

Yet, backing Ukraine militarily remains a contentious issue across the political landscape.

The Czech President Petr Pavel, recently stated in an interview with BBC Russian that future ammunition support depends on the outcome of upcoming elections in his country, leaving Kyiv’s long-term support uncertain.

Pavel is a strong advocate for Ukraine and former NATO Military Committee Chair.

Behind the Pentagon’s decision to review military aid lies the concern about depleting US stockpiles, a source told CBS News.

Anna Kelly, however, reassured that the US Armed Forces remain “unquestionably strong,” even pointing to Iran as an example of US military readiness.

Meanwhile, Elbridge Colby, the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, affirmed that the Pentagon is still presenting the President with a variety of options to continue supporting Ukraine.

Howver, is simultaneously ensuring the US military’s readiness for other strategic priorities.

This pause in shipments follows recent interactions between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit in the Netherlands.

Trump mentioned the possibility of supplying additional Patriot missile defense systems and recalled that despite some tense moments, his talks with Zelensky were cordial.

Trump had previously paused aid earmarked by the Biden administration during a March Oval Office confrontation, also suspending intelligence sharing.

Although both measures were later reversed.

In a related diplomatic development, French President Emmanuel Macron held a lengthy phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

This was the first direct contact in over two-and-a-half years.

Macron reportedly urged Putin to agree to a ceasefire and initiate negotiations for a durable peace settlement.

Putin, in turn, blamed Western policies for the conflict, accusing them of ignoring Russia’s security interests for many years.

Meanwhile, Russia’s long-standing leader reiterated claims of shared heritage between Russians and Ukrainians, asserting that all of Ukraine belongs to Russia in some sense.

Currently, Moscow controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014.

Despite slow progress, Russian forces have recently declared full control over the eastern Luhansk region and claim advances in southeastern Dnipropetrovsk.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Ukraine demonstrated its long reach with an attack on a Russian drone and radar manufacturing facility in Izhevsk, over 1,000 kilometers from the frontlines, killing three people.

As the war grinds on, the delicate balance of international military support and diplomatic engagement continues to shape the fragile prospects for peace in Ukraine.

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