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Trump Halts Key Arms Shipments to Ukraine, Prompting Kyiv’s Diplomatic Protest

Ukraine demands urgent answers with its air defenses facing unexpected supply gaps.

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Left: President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, May 23, 2025, in Washington. Right: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a plenary session of the 5th annual forum Strong Ideas for a New Time hosted by the autonomous non-profit organization Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects (ASI) in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Overview

  • The administration paused shipments of Patriot air defense missiles, precision artillery rounds and Hellfire missiles following a Pentagon review that cited dwindling U.S. stockpiles.
  • Ukraine’s defense ministry summoned U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission John Ginkel, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa warned that any slowdown in support would embolden Russian aggression.
  • Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell and State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce insisted the pause does not amount to a full cessation of aid and that robust military-assistance options remain available.
  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the pause, saying fewer Western arms deliveries would hasten the end of Russia’s “special military operation.”
  • President Trump plans to speak with President Putin on Thursday and hold a separate call with President Zelenskiy on Friday to discuss the war and the arms pause.