USA US halts missile and air defense missile shipments to Ukraine
The United States provided more than $60 billion in military aid to kyiv
The United States has suspended some arms shipments to Ukraine, including air defense missiles, for its fight against the Russian invasion, the Trump administration announced Tuesday.
“This decision was made to prioritize US interests following a Department of Defense review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries around the world,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told AFP in an email.
“America’s military might remains unquestioned; just ask Iran,” she added.
According to Politico and other US media, the suspension of shipments to kyiv concerns missiles and air defense missiles.
The decision comes as Ukraine is facing intensified Russian airstrikes.
The number of long-range drones launched by Russia has increased by 36.8% in June compared to the previous month, according to an AFP analysis published Tuesday.
The attacks are testing air defenses and an exhausted civilian population, while ceasefire negotiations between kyiv and Moscow remain at an impasse.
Pentagon concern
According to the American press, the decision is due to the Pentagon's concern about the US military stockpiles, from which US military aid to Ukraine is directly obtained.
"The US military has never been more prepared and capable than under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told AFP.
So far, and despite the conflictive relationship with kyiv, the Trump administration has continued, at least partially, with the military aid that began during Joe Biden's term.
Under the Democrat's presidency, the United States provided more than $60 billion in military aid to Kyiv.
This suspension of shipments comes just days after a meeting between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in The Hague.

