The United States has not stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine, but has merely reviewed them. In addition, President Donald Trump remains committed to transferring Patriot missiles to Ukraine, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said on Wednesday.
“We have not suspended arms deliveries to Ukraine. This is one aspect, one situation, one event that has been changed. As you heard from the Secretary of Defence, there are many other powerful options and efforts on the Ukrainian arms situation… The president also noted his continued commitment (to the Patriot missile commitment),” Bruce said at a briefing.
Referring to statements by the Pentagon, she stressed that the department is adapting its approach to ending the war in Ukraine while maintaining the readiness of the US Armed Forces to fulfil defence priorities.
Bruce also commented on a journalist’s question regarding communication with the Ukrainian side on the issue of arms supplies, as many in Kyiv learned of the aid cuts from the news on July 2.
“Perhaps some Ukrainians heard about this in the news. Our lines of communication with Ukraine have always been strong. I will not discuss who broke the news, but this conversation obviously took place because of the importance of this project to the United States,” Bruce said.
The press secretary emphasised that the US commitment to Ukraine has not changed, but it will be based on the principle of America first. Trump continues to work towards ending the war through diplomatic means, Bruce added.
On July 1, White House Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly confirmed the US decision to halt some arms deliveries to Ukraine following a review of assistance by the Department of Defence and support from other countries. According to POLITICO, this includes some missiles for air defence systems and other precision-guided munitions. The decision was made due to concerns about excessive reductions in US arsenals.
Consequences of ending military aid to Ukraine
Kyiv will have enough ammunition until the end of summer, after which the situation will become critical, the German newspaper Bild reported, citing military expert Carlo Masala, who commented on reports of the suspension of deliveries of key types of American weapons.
“All deliveries of military systems are critical for Ukrainian defence… A critical shortage may arise until Europe tries to make up for it somehow,” the expert stressed.
The suspension of deliveries of missiles for Patriot air defence systems and GMLRS missiles, without which HIMARS MLRS will be virtually useless, is particularly sensitive for Ukraine.
At the same time, The New York Times reported that the US decision to suspend arms supplies shows that Washington has decided to distance itself from the conflict in Ukraine. “The signal seems clear: Washington is disengaging from the war,” the The NYT says.
