Ukraine has warned that the White House’s decision to halt shipment of some weapons to Kyiv will embolden Russia to protract the war that has entered the fourth year. On Wednesday, Kyiv applied to the United Stated for clarity over suspension of weapons delivery to the country.
"Continued American support for Ukraine, for our defence, for our people is in our common interest," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an evening address. The Ukrainian defence ministry, stated that it had not been notified about the reduction in aid announced one day earlier. The ministry warned that any delays "would only encourage the aggressor to continue war and terror, rather than seek peace". In a statement the defence ministry also said the path to ending the war was "through consistent and joint pressure on the aggressor".
The US suspended the delivery of air defence systems and other precision weapons to Ukraine over fears that the US stockpiles were running too low. The decision was taken in June to put US interests first" after the defence department’s review of military support and assistance to other countries," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said. The US decision involves weapons and munitions promised by the Biden administration, including air defence systems, GMLRS missiles used by Himars rocket artillery, Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, Stinger portable air defence systems and 155mm artillery shells.
The Pentagon’s decision came as Ukraine is under increased missile and drone attack from Russia, and Kyiv has been pleading for more Patriot air defence systems to protect its skies. Russia launched its large-scale air raids on Ukraine over the weekend since the start of the war nearly four years ago, firing 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles.
