Iryna Pohorila09:04, 02.07.25

The White House explained their decision by saying they wanted to put US interests first.

The United States has stopped supplying Ukraine with air defense interceptors and other weapons, and will instead use them to replenish the Pentagon’s stockpiles.

This was stated by a representative of the administration of US President Donald Trump and two congressional aides, writes The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The publication emphasized that the decision to suspend the supply of weapons intended for Ukraine reflects the weakening of the White House’s commitment to helping Kyiv defend itself against Russia.

Instead, Trump administration officials have emphasized the need to focus more on threats from China and, more importantly, on military needs in the Middle East.

Anna Kelly, the White House press secretary, said: “This decision was made to put America’s interests first” after a Pentagon review of US military aid.

“The weapons were already in Poland when their supply was stopped. They included Patriot air defense interceptors, air-to-air missiles, Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and surface-to-surface missiles, artillery shells and Stinger surface-to-air missiles,” the publication detailed.

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby did not comment on the decision to halt arms supplies to Ukraine, but said the Pentagon would provide Trump with options for continuing military aid to Ukraine that “consistent with his goal of ending this war.”

“The department is carefully examining and adapting the approach to achieve this goal while maintaining the readiness of the U.S. armed forces for defense priorities,” Colby said.

This move by the White House puzzled analysts, who noted that Trump said at the NATO summit last week that he would consider selling Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv.

The WSJ recalls that the Trump administration inherited the authority to send up to $3.85 billion in weapons to Ukraine from the Pentagon’s stockpile, but refrained from doing so. It also did not ask Congress for additional funding for a separate Ukraine assistance program, which allocates money so that the country can buy weapons from American defense companies.

Democratic lawmakers have already criticized the decision to halt arms shipments.

“The Pentagon is significantly weakening air defenses while Russia bombs Ukrainian cities every night, killing Ukrainian civilians,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The publication added that this move sparked a wide debate about US policy towards Ukraine.

“Ukrainians are defending themselves, Europe, and US interests from an aggressive Russia. Refusing Patriot missiles will cost the lives of civilians and military personnel,” shared the opinion of former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor.

At the same time, former Pentagon official Dan Caldwell, who is skeptical of support for Ukraine, praised the decision to stop the supply.

“Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth are making the right decision by prioritizing our own defense readiness over supplies to Ukraine, where America’s vital interests are not at stake,” the official said.

Suspension of arms supplies to Ukraine

Last night, Politico reported that the United States has suspended the supply of anti-aircraft missiles and a number of ammunition to Ukraine. The publication reported that this decision was made in the White House in early June. However, it has only now come into effect.

This morning, the White House confirmed its decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine.

(C)UNIAN 2025