Latest news with #Russianattacks
Al Mayadeen
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Ukraine seeks US clarification amid halt in defense system shipments
Ukrainian officials on Wednesday urgently requested clarification from the United States following its announcement of a halt in the delivery of air defense ammunition, as the country faces unprecedented waves of Russian aerial attacks. According to media reports, Ukrainian officials either remained silent or declined to comment when questioned about the US decision, suggesting they were caught off guard. A senior Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that Kiev is 'now verifying with the Americans what exactly is happening.' Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that any reduction or suspension in Western weapons supplies to Ukraine would contribute significantly to ending the conflict. 'As far as we know, the reason for this step is empty stockpiles and a shortage of available weapons. In any case, the fewer weapons delivered to Ukraine, the closer we get to the end of the special military operation,' Peskov stated. The Pentagon has halted shipments of critical air defense missiles and precision munitions to Ukraine due to mounting concerns that US weapons stockpiles have "fallen too low," Politico reported on Wednesday at dawn. The move, reportedly spearheaded by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, follows an internal review of US military reserves. The review concluded that current stockpiles of Patriot interceptors, Hellfire missiles, precision-guided artillery rounds, and other vital munitions have fallen to levels considered insufficient for America's national defense priorities. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed the decision, stating it was made 'to put America's interests first' following a Department of Defense reassessment of global military aid commitments. 'The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran,' she said in a statement. The shipments originally authorized under the Biden administration were part of two aid streams: emergency drawdowns from existing stockpiles and contracts signed through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. According to Politico, this freeze affects both channels and comes into effect just as Ukraine faces its heaviest wave of Russian aerial attacks in over a year. Read more: Ukraine to launch arms production in Europe this summer: Zelensky
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump and NATO Strike Ukraine Weapons Deal as Russia Ramps up Attacks
As Trump promises more weapons and threatens economic pressure on Moscow, WSJ's Ukraine Bureau Chief James Marson explains what is at stake for Kyiv in the face of increasing Russian attacks. Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
What Trump's new weapons plan for Ukraine might mean
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has endorsed a plan to have European allies buy billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment that can be transferred to Ukraine as Kyiv looks for way to better defend itself against intensified Russian attacks. Trump announced the effort Monday during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who has been working with European countries to coordinate the purchase of U.S. weapons. The plan is designed to allow the U.S. to funnel more firepower to Ukraine to combat invading Russian forces during their summer military offensive while easing Washington's financial burden. Increased weapons shipments, combined with possible new penalties Trump has promised if a halt to the fighting isn't reached in 50 days, could push Russian President Vladimir Putin into peace talks that Trump has championed for months — so far with little to show for it. Here's a look at what Trump promised and what it might mean: What's the new Ukraine weapons deal Trump announced? The U.S. plans to sell Patriot missile batteries — systems ideal for shielding territory against incoming missile attacks — and other weapons to European allies that would be transferred to Kyiv. 'We're going to supply weapons to NATO at a large amount,' Trump said. Rutte said Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark would be among the buyers to supply Ukraine, and noted that 'speed is of the essence here.' Later Monday, during a meeting with his administration's faith office and business leaders, Trump said, 'They're going to deliver the weapons, and they're going to pay for 100% of the weapons.' The president had earlier teased the announcement, but the details of the transfers — exactly what munitions they would include, the specifics of their delivery and their timing— were unclear. Other parts of the administration deferred to the White House, where officials said details were still being worked out. On a call with the other foreign ministers of the Quad grouping — India, Japan and Australia — Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'underscored that it remains a priority of President Trump to bring the war to an end through a durable negotiated settlement,' State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon to discuss some details — particularly related to the Patriot batteries — and noted greater defense spending. 'We are determined to assume greater responsibility for Europe's deterrence and defense,' said Pistorius, whose government has offered to finance two additional Patriot systems. In addition to Germany, Greece and Spain are among the NATO members believed to have spare Patriots to send to Ukraine, as long as they are eventually replaced. U.S. officials said that anything to be supplied to Ukraine in the short term will have to come from existing stockpiles and that it will take several years to replace whatever is sent to Kyiv. What does Ukraine need from the U.S.? Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that its air defenses are struggling to counter. At the same time, Russia's bigger army is making a new effort to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 620-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line. Trump announced last week that the U.S. planned to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine, following a prior pause in some deliveries during a review of U.S. stockpiles. Still, the president expressed frustration about U.S. resources going to Ukraine, reiterating Monday that 'this is not Trump's war. We're here to get it finished and stopped.' During the meeting with Rutte, he also praised European leaders for being willing to take on a larger responsibility for arming Ukraine — a far cry from once criticizing Europe for failing to spend more on defense. 'I have to tell you, Europe has a lot of spirit for this war,' Trump said. 'When I first got involved, I didn't think they did, but they do.' Why is Trump threatening tariffs to punish Russia? Trump again vented his frustrations about stalled negotiations to end the war, saying the U.S. will impose steep trade penalties if Moscow doesn't reach a peace deal with Kyiv in the next 50 days. 'Tariffs at about 100% — you'd call them secondary tariffs,' Trump said without providing details. Secondary tariffs would target Russia's trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy — potentially including nations that rely on Russia for oil and natural gas. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later clarified that Trump was actually referring to economic sanctions, rather than tariffs. Separately, some Republicans close to Trump, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, are promoting a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia that is working its way through Congress. Trump said Monday that 'I'm not sure we need it' given his threat for economic consequences if the fighting continues. But, he added, 'it could be very useful, we'll have to see.' An emboldened Russia has ramped up military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine, seeking an advantage before the fighting season wanes in the fall. Trump's 50-day deadline will allow Kremlin forces to further expand into the strategic eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk, the capture of which would hand them a major battlefield victory and bring them closer to acquiring the entire Donetsk region. Russia's forces also have been pushing into Ukraine's northern Sumy region, where Putin hopes to create a 'buffer zone' to protect Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions and defend against the possibility of surprise Ukrainian incursions. Why has Trump changed his tone toward Putin?Trump long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin, repeatedly asserting that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. At the same time, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a 'dictator without elections.' But Russia's relentless onslaught on civilian areas of Ukraine has worn down Trump's patience. In April, he urged Putin to 'STOP!' launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month he said in a social media post that the Russian leader 'has gone absolutely CRAZY!' Trump said Monday that he remains in frequent contact with Putin but questioned how much those talks have gotten him. 'My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,' Trump said.
Wall Street Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Trump and NATO Strike Ukraine Weapons Deal as Russia Ramps up Attacks
As Trump promises more weapons and threatens economic pressure on Moscow, WSJ's Ukraine Bureau Chief James Marson explains what is at stake for Kyiv in the face of increasing Russian attacks. Illustration: Louisa Naks
LBCI
04-06-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Germany starts hunt for more air defenses as Zelensky pleads for Patriots
Germany launched a fresh bid on Wednesday to chase down more air defense systems for Ukraine, which in past weeks has suffered some of the heaviest Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion in 2022. Berlin aims to potentially surpass the sum of 1 billion euros which it collected with a similar initiative last year, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters in Brussels. He was speaking before a meeting of the Ramstein group of some 50 nations set up by the U.S. to coordinate military aid. It has been co-chaired by Germany and Britain since Washington decided to no longer lead the group. Washington was represented by its NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, with U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth expected to join a day later for a meeting with his NATO counterparts. Addressing the gathering at NATO's Brussels headquarters online, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky repeated his calls for more air defenses to protect Ukrainians, in particular for Patriot or similar systems. Reuters
