Ukraine seeks US clarification amid halt in defense system shipments
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Ukrainian officials urgently seek answers from the US after Washington pauses air defense ammunition deliveries, while Russia signals it could bring the war closer to an end.
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The Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jets fly over a Patriot Air and Missile Defense System in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, on August 4, 2024. (AP)
Ukrainian officials on Wednesday urgently requested clarification from the United States following its announcement of a halt in the delivery of air defense ammunition, as the country faces unprecedented waves of Russian aerial attacks.
According to media reports, Ukrainian officials either remained silent or declined to comment when questioned about the US decision, suggesting they were caught off guard.
A senior Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that Kiev is “now verifying with the Americans what exactly is happening.”
Kremlin says halt in arms could end conflict sooner
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that any reduction or suspension in Western weapons supplies to Ukraine would contribute significantly to ending the conflict.
“As far as we know, the reason for this step is empty stockpiles and a shortage of available weapons. In any case, the fewer weapons delivered to Ukraine, the closer we get to the end of the special military operation,” Peskov stated.
US war buildup forces pause in Ukraine arms shipments
The Pentagon has halted shipments of critical air defense missiles and precision munitions to Ukraine due to mounting concerns that US weapons stockpiles have "fallen too low," Politico reported on Wednesday at dawn.
The move, reportedly spearheaded by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, follows an internal review of US military reserves. The review concluded that current stockpiles of Patriot interceptors, Hellfire missiles, precision-guided artillery rounds, and other vital munitions have fallen to levels considered insufficient for America’s national defense priorities.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed the decision, stating it was made “to put America’s interests first” following a Department of Defense reassessment of global military aid commitments. “The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran,” she said in a statement.
The shipments originally authorized under the Biden administration were part of two aid streams: emergency drawdowns from existing stockpiles and contracts signed through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. According to Politico, this freeze affects both channels and comes into effect just as Ukraine faces its heaviest wave of Russian aerial attacks in over a year.
Read more: Ukraine to launch arms production in Europe this summer: Zelensky
