Kyiv seeks clarity as US halts some weapons shipments to Ukraine
The move, originally disclosed by the White House on Tuesday, has prompted concern in Kyiv and a welcoming response from Moscow.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said the Pentagon decided to halt some arms transfers planned under former President Joe Biden's administration in order to prioritize US interests. 'The strength of the US Armed Forces is unquestionable—ask Iran,' she said, referencing the June strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Kyiv said Wednesday it was working to obtain more details. 'We are clarifying the situation. I think that everything will be clarified in the coming days,' said presidential aide Dmytro Lytvyn. Ukraine also summoned a US diplomat to stress the "critical importance" of continued American military support in defending against Russia's invasion.
The Kremlin quickly responded, saying the reduction in US arms deliveries would help end the war sooner. 'The fewer the number of weapons delivered to Ukraine, the closer the end of the special military operation,' said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, using Moscow's term for the war now in its fourth year.
The development comes just days after President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit in The Hague, where Kyiv requested Patriot missile systems. Trump responded cautiously: 'We'll see if we can provide some. We need them too.'
Since the start of the war in February 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with over USD66 billion in weapons and military assistance, according to the Associated Press.
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