US munition warehouses emptied by Ukraine war, Trump says
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US presidential candidate Donald Trump accuses the Biden administration of drying up US munition arsenals to help fuel the Ukraine war but makes no mention of "Israel".
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump National Golf Club, Thursday, August 15, 2024, in Bedminster, New Jersey. (AP)
Former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sharply criticized the Biden administration on Wednesday, accusing it of depleting the United States' munition reserves by sending large quantities of ammunition to Ukraine and other countries.
During a rally in Asheboro, North Carolina, Trump expressed concern over the state of the nation’s defense resources. "We have no ammunition at the time. We are the United States of America, you know. Why did we give it all up to Ukraine and various other places? We gave everything, emptied our warehouses of all of our munitions," he said.
The United States has been a key supplier of artillery shells to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict with Russia in February 2022. Among the supplies are more than 3 million 155mm shells, which have been crucial for Ukrainian forces. Additionally, over 1.5 million shells of various other sizes have also been provided.
The situation has raised concerns within the Department of Defense. A report by the Office of the Inspector General, published earlier in August, revealed that Ukraine is running "critically low" on certain types of ammunition, some of which are no longer produced or sourced by the United States. The report underscores the strain on US munition stockpiles and the potential impact on national security.
No mention of 'Israel'
Although Trump is highly critical of arms supplies to Ukraine, he does not seem to be as critical when it comes to arming the Israeli occupation, as there was no mention of the Israeli regime in his address. However, the US has been focusing more on "Israel" than Ukraine when it comes to arms supplies.
Two key Democratic holdouts, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, and Sen. Ben Cardin, approved in July a major arms sale to "Israel". The newly approved package would include 50 F-15 fighter jets worth over $18 billion, The Washington Post reported, citing three anonymous US officials.
In the case of the F-15 and munitions package, the two top Republicans on the committees, Sen. James E. Risch of Idaho and Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, had signed off on the sale months ago The Washington Post reported.
Regarding the funding, it is important to note that the report stressed that the weaponry, often paid for over many years, is "largely financed by the more than $3.3 billion in US taxpayer funds Washington provides Israel every year."
Meeks, after months of holding up the sale, emphasized the importance of humanitarian efforts and limiting civilian casualties. Both Meeks and Cardin, who can effectively veto foreign military sales, have now signed off, allowing the State Department to proceed with notifying Congress.
