The Kremlin has welcomed a reported decision by the US to suspend some arms deliveries to Ukraine.
According to Kremlin Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, the US decision could hasten an end to the ongoing conflict. “The fewer weapons sent to Kyiv, the sooner peace will come,” he said.
The Kremlin has long argued that Western arms shipments to Ukraine only prolong the conflict and raise the risk of escalation, while continuing to attack Ukrainian cities and advance on the battlefield.
Peskov’s comments followed reports that the US Defense Department has paused shipments of some key air defense and precision munitions to Ukraine that were promised under the Biden administration over concerns about declining US stockpiles.
Among the withheld items are Patriot air defense missiles, precision artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles and other munitions used by Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets.
Biden-era pledges, which included various munitions to bolster Ukraine’s defences, are now under review as the Pentagon reassesses current inventory levels.
The White House Deputy Press Secretary, Anna Kelly confirmed the decision to halt weapons shipments, saying that it was part of a broader reassessment of American military aid to foreign partners.
“(The decision) was made to put America’s interests first following a DOD review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe.”
Anna Kelly
The aid pause comes in a critical moment as Russia is ramping up its aerial strikes across Ukraine and intensifying offensive operations along the front line.
In June, Russia launched a record 5,337 Shahed-type attack drones at Ukrainian targets, the highest monthly total since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The US has not approved any new military aid packages after US President, Donald Trump took office in January.
US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth has also signaled that future US defense budgets will reduce the scale of assistance to Ukraine.
At a NATO summit in The Hague in late June, Trump said that Washington was considering whether it could help provide more Patriot missiles to Kyiv but emphasized that US and Israeli needs take precedence. “They are very hard to get. We need them too,” Trump said after meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine Foreign Ministry Summons US Envoy
Following the announcement, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry summoned US chargè d’Affaires, John Ginkel to voice concern over the reported pause in weapons shipments.
Ginkel met Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa at the request of Ukraine‘s Chief diplomat, Andrii Sybiha.
Betsa warned during the meeting that any delay or hesitation in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities will “only encourage Russia to continue war and terror, rather than pursue peace.”
According to the ministry’s readout, Betsa underscored Ukraine’s gratitude for US aid and stressed the critical importance of continued deliveries, namely air defenses.
Betsa also stressed that Russia continues to reject a US-proposed ceasefire that Kyiv agreed to during talks in Jeddah on March 11 and only intensifies its aerial attacks and ground offensives against Ukraine.
“Ukraine supports peace efforts and supports the U.S. calls for an immediate end to the killings and the war, stressing the need to compel Russia to seek peace.
“Under these circumstances, strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and ramping up coordinated transatlantic pressure on Russia are critically important.”
Ukraine Foreign Ministry
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine has not received any official notification from the US about suspension or rescheduling of military aid.
In a statement, the ministry said it is working to verify the current status of all elements in the agreed aid packages and has requested a phone call with US defense officials for further clarification.
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