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News24
27 minutes ago
- News24
Ukraine scrambles to build ‘our common interest' as US pares back weapons
Ukraine sought clarity on a US announcement that it was halting some weapons shipments. US officials downplayed the shift in policy. Russia celebrated the US policy, saying it would bring the war to an end. US officials on Wednesday downplayed a White House announcement that Washington was pausing some weapons shipments to Ukraine, after the war-battered country was caught off-guard and appealed for clarity. Ukraine is contending with some of Russia's largest missile and drone attacks of the three-year war, and a halt to the provision of munitions - especially for air defence - would be a significant blow to Kyiv. 'The Department of Defence continues to provide the president with robust options regarding military aid to Ukraine, consistent with his goal of bringing this tragic war to an end,' Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told journalists on Wednesday. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce meanwhile told reporters that 'this is not a cessation of us assisting Ukraine or of providing weapons. This is one event, and one situation, and we'll discuss what else comes up in the future.' The White House said on Tuesday that it is halting some key weapons shipments to Ukraine that were promised under the Biden administration, without providing details on which weapons programmes were affected. READ | US blocks some weapons for Ukraine desperate to fight Russia as priorities shift It said the decision was taken after a review of US defence needs and of its military assistance to foreign countries. Moscow revelled in the decision, saying that it could bring the end of the war closer. Politico and other US media reported that missiles for Patriot air defence systems, precision artillery and Hellfire missiles are among the items being held back. But the State Department's Bruce said on Wednesday that 'the president has also indicated his remaining commitment regarding Patriot missiles,' Bruce said, referring to an air defence system that has played a key role in defending against Russian attacks. Kyiv has long feared halts to US aid after Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, having criticised the tens of billions of dollars in support and weapons sent by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an evening address that Kyiv and Washington were clarifying details on supplies. Continued American support for Ukraine, for our defence, for our people is in our common interest. Volodymyr Zelensky The Ukrainian foreign ministry summoned John Ginkel, the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Kyiv, in a rare diplomatic move that is usually reserved for foes and rivals, not vital allies, indicative of the uncertainty about what the cuts would mean for Kyiv. Under Biden, Washington spearheaded Western support for Ukraine, with Congress having approved more than $100 billion in aid, including $43 billion in weaponry. Trump instead has pushed the two sides into peace talks, including in phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin - who rejected pleas for a ceasefire and demanded that Ukraine cede more territory if it wants Moscow to halt its invasion, which was launched in 2022. Trump has refused to announce new aid packages and Kyiv has been corralling Washington's European allies to step up their support. Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images Kyiv remains 'seriously dependent' on US arms supplies, a high-ranking source in the Ukrainian military told AFP. 'Europe is doing its best, but it will be difficult for us without American ammunition,' the source added. A May report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said that Europe 'had only made limited progress' in strengthening its defence industries. But it said that 'continued US aid remains extremely important for Ukraine's long-term effectiveness on the battlefield'. In Moscow, the Kremlin said that reducing weapons deliveries to Kyiv would help end the conflict. 'The fewer the number of weapons that are delivered to Ukraine, the closer the end of the special military operation,' Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a question by AFP, using Russia's term for its more than three-year-long offensive. Oleksandr Gusev/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Russia ramped up attacks on Ukraine in June, launching nearly twice as many missiles and more than 30% more drones than in May, according to an AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data. Kyiv was in June subjected to at least four fatal attacks that left more than 40 people dead. Its residents are worried that a cessation of US aid would leave the capital even more vulnerable. 'We had gotten used to seeing America as a country of values, a country that defends democracy,' Igor Stambol, a Kyiv resident, told AFP. 'But there is hope that they will remember their values,' the 36-year-old added.
Bloomberg
36 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
UK Gilts Extend Gains Morning After Reeves' Tears in PMQ
UK markets rebounded from a sharp selloff as Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to calm speculation about a possible exit by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves by saying she will stay in the role for many years to come. The yield on 30-year bonds fell 12 basis points to 5.30% after a 19 basis point jump on Wednesday, the biggest increase since April. Bloomberg's Morwenna Coniam discusses on "The Pulse with Francine Lacqua." (Source: Bloomberg)
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
Starmer Vows Budgetary Rigor After UK Selloff Over Reeves Fears
Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised his government will adhere to strict budget rules as he sought to calm market jitters about Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' future. 'She is an excellent chancellor; she will be chancellor for a very long time to come, into the next election and beyond it,' Starmer told Virgin Radio UK on Thursday morning. 'She and I are absolutely committed to our fiscal rules and the economic stability that is so important for this country — that is the rock on which we build everything else.'
