Russia-Ukraine war: Donald Trump pauses key weapons shipments to Kyiv; says 'decision made to put America's interests first'
The US on Tuesday announced that it would suspend certain crucial arms deliveries to Ukraine, previously pledged under President Biden's administration, potentially impacting Kyiv's defence against Russian aggression.
"This decision was made to put America's interests first following a DOD (department of defense) review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe," White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement, AFP reported.
The Biden administration's previous commitments of munitions to Ukraine have been paused under President Donald Trump's leadership, following defence department assessments of US stockpiles and shifting priorities.
This follows Trump's recent directive for US missile strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
A US official, speaking anonymously, revealed that Pentagon reviews found insufficient stocks of certain promised weapons, leading to the cancellation of some planned deliveries. The specific weapons affected remain undisclosed.
Spokesman Sean Parnell emphasised US military readiness, noting that pending legislation would enhance defence capabilities against contemporary threats.
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This suspension of US weapons support impacts Ukraine during intensified Russian aerial attacks, complicating Trump-backed peace initiatives. Diplomatic discussions have ceased.
The US has delivered over $66 billion in military support to Ukraine since Russia's February 2022 invasion.
At the Nato summit, Trump discussed potential Patriot air defence missile system deliveries with President Zelenskyy, acknowledging their effectiveness: "They do want to have the antimissile missiles, OK, as they call them, the Patriots," Trump said then. "And 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, 100% effective. Hard to believe how effective.
They do want that more than any other thing.
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