Overview

• The Pentagon halted shipments of Patriot interceptors, precision artillery rounds and F-16–fired missiles last week under an inventory review ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the hold as a routine alignment of foreign aid with U.S. interests rather than a policy shift toward Kyiv.
• Trump said he remains “not at all happy” with Vladimir Putin and will send additional defensive arms to help Ukraine withstand intensified Russian drone and missile attacks.
• He spoke with President Zelenski on July 8 and they agreed to work together on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities during sustained Russian strikes.
• The move marks Trump’s first new aid commitment to Kyiv since taking office and follows over $65 billion in military assistance pledged under President Biden.