 "US President Donald Trump shouts at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during their interaction with the press at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2025. Reuters File")
The United States is pausing some shipments of air defence missiles and other weapons to Ukraine because its own stockpiles have become too low, according to officials cited by the Associated Press on Tuesday (July 2).
These weapons had been promised to Ukraine during the Biden administration to help fight Russia. But under President Donald Trump, the US has reassessed its priorities.
“This decision was made to put America’s interests first, following a Pentagon review of our military support to countries around the world,” said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly.
She added, “The strength of the US Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran,” referring to Trump’s recent missile strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
A US official, speaking anonymously, said that because supplies of some weapons were running low, deliveries that hadn’t yet been sent would be put on hold.
Since the war began in February 2022, the US has provided more than $66 billion in weapons and military aid to Ukraine. While the US has urged allies to send air defence systems, many countries — especially in Eastern Europe — are hesitant to part with these critical systems as they also feel threatened by Russia.
The halt in weapons shipments comes just after Russia carried out its largest aerial assault on Ukraine over the weekend, dimming hopes for peace talks led by Trump.
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View AllPolitico was the first to report the US decision.
Last week, Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit. He said he was considering sending Patriot missile systems to Ukraine but emphasized that the US also needs them for its own defense and to support Israel.
“They want the anti-missile systems — the Patriots,” Trump said. “We’ll see if we can make some available. They’re very effective — 100 percent effective.”
These comments show a shift in the Trump administration’s approach to helping Ukraine.
At a Senate hearing in June, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was cutting wasteful programs and focusing on Trump’s top goals. He emphasized that a peaceful settlement between Ukraine and Russia would make the US look strong, even though Russia started the conflict.
Hegseth said the defense budget reflects the need for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defense and credited Trump for pushing that change.
He confirmed that while some US aid for Ukraine is still in progress, overall funding would be reduced.
“This administration views the conflict differently,” Hegseth said. “We believe a negotiated peace is in the best interest of both Ukraine and Russia — and of America.”
Last month, Hegseth skipped a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — an international alliance created by the US to coordinate military aid. This marked the first time a US defense secretary did not attend. Under former Secretary Lloyd Austin, the US had led the group, with regular meetings held both in-person and online.
Hegseth had already stepped away from leading the group, handing over responsibilities to Germany and the UK, before fully withdrawing from participation.