US still ‘giving weapons' to Kiev
Several reports earlier this week indicated that the US had paused deliveries of various critical munitions to Ukraine, including Patriot and Hellfire missiles, GMLRS rockets, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells. The Economist even suggested that Washington could be gradually winding down its military support for Kiev altogether.
Trump rejected claims of any significant policy shift, stating that some military aid continues to be delivered, following announcements from the Pentagon and the White House that a decision had been made to prioritize US national interests.
'We're giving weapons, but we've given so many weapons,' Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One on Thursday. 'You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons. And we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.'
'But we are giving weapons, and we're working with them and trying to help them,' he added.
Trump has been critical of providing aid to Ukraine without reciprocal benefits, and his administration has not approved any new assistance packages since he took office. According to Germany's Kiel Institute, the US has sent nearly $115 billion in military and financial aid to Kiev since the conflict escalated in 2022, although Trump has claimed the actual total runs into 'hundreds of billions.'
Washington recently signed an agreement granting the US priority access to Ukraine's mineral resources – an effort the White House said would help recoup some of the taxpayer money spent under Biden.
News of the aid suspension drew sharp reactions in Kiev, with Ukrainian officials summoning US Chargé d'Affaires John Ginkel to lecture him about 'the critical importance of continuing the deliveries of previously allocated defense packages.' Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuglaya even declared that 'the US is no longer our ally,' even though the two countries never signed any deals to that effect.
Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing they prolong the conflict and risk broader escalation. Kremlin officials have also accused Western backers of encouraging their proxies in Kiev to fight to the last Ukrainian in the empty hope of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.
'The fewer the missiles that arrive in Ukraine from abroad, the closer the end of the special military operation,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday. He noted, however, that the freeze may be temporary and caused by too many US weapons being redirected to support Israel in the stand-off with Iran.
President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow remains open to peace talks during a phone call with Trump on Thursday, but stated that Russia will not back down until the 'well-known root causes' of the Ukraine conflict are eliminated, according to presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
43 minutes ago
- Russia Today
BBC bans ‘high-risk' broadcasts after anti-Israeli calls
The BBC has announced that it will no longer broadcast or livestream performances deemed 'high risk'. The British public broadcaster faced backlash after airing a set by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival, during which the group chanted against the Israeli military. The group's lead vocalist encouraged the crowd to chant 'Death, death to the IDF' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free' during the performance last weekend. Videos circulating on social media show the crowd echoing the chants, with some waving Palestinian flags. 'We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers, listeners, and in particular the Jewish community,' the broadcaster said in a statement released on Thursday. The BBC noted that the band was classified as 'high risk' ahead of the festival, along with six other acts, but was still permitted to perform with 'appropriate mitigations.' The company admitted to 'errors' in the compliance processes and confirmed that Bob Vylan's set has been permanently removed from BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. The outlet pledged to provide on-site editorial policy support at major music festivals and events moving forward. It also announced plans to issue clearer guidance on the criteria for withdrawing a livestream. Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into potential public order offenses, saying they 'will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.' UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the BBC for airing the performance; media regulator Ofcom said the broadcaster has questions to answer. The Israeli Embassy in London said it was 'deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage,' describing it as 'advocacy of ethnic cleansing.' Earlier this week, the US authorities revoked the visas of Bob Vylan members following the controversial performance, citing national security concerns. The duo, who were scheduled to begin a 20-date US tour later this year, have since been dropped by their agency, United Talent. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations and a rise in anti-Semitic incidents have been reported in many countries since the start of Israel's military operation in Gaza, where more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed since 2023. The conflict was triggered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead, with over 200 taken hostage.
Russia Today
43 minutes ago
- Russia Today
Russia outlines response to Ukrainian ‘terrorist' attacks
The Russian military has carried out a series of strikes on Ukrainian military-related targets in response to 'terrorist' raids by Kiev deep into Russia, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has said. In a statement on Friday, the ministry said its forces had launched a massive strike overnight in retaliation for 'the terrorist acts of the Kiev regime,' adding that it involved long-range precision weapons, Kinzhal air-based hypersonic missiles, and drones. The attack targeted industrial enterprises developing and producing drones and other robotic mobile systems, facilities manufacturing various military equipment in Kiev, as well as a military airfield and an oil refinery in an undisclosed location, officials said. 'The goal of the strike has been achieved. All designated facilities have been hit,' the ministry added. DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Russia Today
Germany looking to secretly buy US arms for Ukraine
Germany wants to agree a 'secret deal' with the US to buy two Patriot air defense systems in order to hand them over to Ukraine, Bild has reported, citing government sources. Several US media outlets claimed earlier this week that Washington had paused deliveries of various critical munitions to Kiev, including Patriot and Hellfire missiles, GMLRS rockets, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells. The White House later confirmed that supplies of some weapons have been halted, saying the 'decision was made to put America's interests first.' The freeze in deliveries is 'causing alarm' in Berlin, Bild reported on Thursday. According to the newspaper, the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz fears that the policy shift could also result in Washington rejecting a request to sell Germany two Patriot systems and interceptors. According to Bild's sources, Berlin quietly approached US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the matter two weeks ago after being asked to do so by Ukraine, which previously failed to acquire the systems on its own. The German authorities are now waiting for a response from Hegseth, they added. Bild described the lack of air defenses as an 'urgent problem' for Ukraine, and that it currently has only four Patriot systems left in service and insufficient missiles for them. If Kiev runs out of interceptors, Russian airstrikes are likely to become even more 'dangerous,' it added. Politico reported on Wednesday that the Kiev authorities were 'blindsided' by the halt in American military aid supplies, and have asked Washington 'to let Europe purchase US weapons for Ukraine.' Several European countries are reviewing potential purchases on behalf of Ukraine, according to the outlet. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested that the US paused deliveries of key munitions to Ukraine because they 'simply cannot produce missiles in the necessary quantities,' noting that many supplies were likely redirected to Israel amid its conflict with Iran last month. 'The fewer the missiles that arrive in Ukraine from abroad, the closer the end of the [Russian] special military operation [will be],' Peskov stated.
