Ukraine responds to US suspension of military aid
Ukraine has summoned the US charge d'affaires in Kiev, John Ginkel, following reports that Washington had suspended deliveries of key weapons systems. Military experts and Western officials all warn that the country cannot sustain conflict in the short term without continued military support.
Several American media outlets, including The New York Times, Politico, and NBC News, reported on Wednesday that the US had paused shipments of Patriot missile interceptors, GMLRS rockets, Hellfire missiles, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells. NBC reported that some of the shipments had already arrived in Europe but were withheld from being transferred to Ukrainian forces.
According to a statement issued by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Ginkel was "invited" to a discussion by Foreign Minister Andrey Sybiga on Wednesday.
During the talks, the Ukrainians emphasized "the critical importance of continuing the deliveries of previously allocated defense packages," particularly air defense systems.
The US envoy was informed that any "delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities" would prolong the conflict.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry has not confirmed the pause. In a statement on Wednesday, it said that it is "clarifying the current factual circumstances of the supplies," stressing that Kiev has not received any official notifications about the suspension.
According to media reports, the Pentagon halted the deliveries after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of available weapons stockpiles, citing concerns over munitions depletion.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly has confirmed that some transfers had been paused following a Department of Defense assessment of global commitments, stating that "this decision was made to put America's interests first."
The latest reported suspension marks the second time that US President Donald Trump's administration has withheld munitions from Kiev since he entered office in January.
Kiev has repeatedly voiced frustration over what it sees as dwindling US support from Washington.
Vladimir Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague last week, to demand more Patriot air defense systems but received no firm promises. Trump said the systems were "very hard to get" and that the US needed them for its own defense and for Israel.
Russia has consistently condemned Western arm shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only serve to prolong hostilities and lead to more bloodshed without affecting the inevitable outcome of the conflict.
(RT.com)
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