The United States is walking a fine line in its support for Ukraine, with President Donald Trump emphasizing that while the country is “trying to help” Ukraine, it is also prioritizing its own national interests. This comes as Trump denied speculation that the US had completely halted all military equipment and ammunition deliveries to Kiev. Instead, he insisted that lethal aid is still being sent, albeit with a focus on ensuring the US retains enough stockpiles to defend itself and its allies.
Recent reports had suggested that the US had paused deliveries of critical munitions, including Patriot and Hellfire missiles, GMLRS rockets, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells. The Economist even went so far as to suggest that Washington might be gradually winding down its military support for Kiev altogether. Trump, however, rejected these claims, echoing statements from the Pentagon and the White House that the decision to prioritize US national interests had been made.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Thursday, Trump said, “We’re giving weapons, but we’ve given so many weapons. You know, Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons. And we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.” He added, “But we are giving weapons, and we’re working with them and trying to help them,” without providing specifics on the exact weapons being withheld or supplied.
The US has sent nearly $115 billion in military and financial aid to Kiev since the conflict escalated in 2022, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute. Trump, however, claims that the actual total is much higher, running into “hundreds of billions.” Washington recently signed an agreement granting the US priority access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, which the White House says will help recoup some of the taxpayer money spent under Biden.
News of the aid suspension sparked strong reactions in Kiev, with Ukrainian officials summoning US Chargé d’Affaires John Ginkel to stress the importance of continuing defense package deliveries. Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuglaya went so far as to declare that “the US is no longer our ally,” despite the two countries never having signed a formal alliance agreement. Russia, meanwhile, has repeatedly condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they prolong the conflict and risk broader escalation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, “The fewer the missiles that arrive in Ukraine from abroad, the closer the end of the special military operation.” He noted, however, that the freeze on US weapons deliveries may be temporary, potentially caused by the redirection of US weapons to support Israel in its stand-off with Iran.
