American weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine: State Department explains the situation
9 July 14:59
The United States has confirmed the resumption of military assistance to Ukraine after a short break. This was stated by US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce during a briefing, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“We have been and remain Ukraine’s greatest allies. We care about what happens to Ukrainians, and we want them to have everything they need,” she said.
Bruce also emphasized that the temporary pause in supplies was not due to a change in policy or a reduction in support. It was, she said, a “routine program review” that often occurs as part of strategic resource management.
In addition, the spokesperson noted that US President Donald Trump is “determined” to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to defend itself, especially given the massacres and the need to achieve a ceasefire.
“We have been helping them and we will continue to help them. This is our position. It remains unchanged,” the State Department spokesperson assured.
What is known about the suspension of arms supplies
Reasons for the pause
– The US Department of Defense initiated a review of supplies due to the depletion of its own arsenals – especially Patriot, Stinger, shells and other high-tech ammunition.
– The Pentagon justified this as an “America First” measure, focusing on protecting its own military capabilities, particularly in the event of conflicts in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Volumes and types of detained weapons
– Paused: Patriot interceptor missiles, GMLRS, Stinger, Hellfire, 155 mm artillery shells, AIM-7, etc
– The general halt affected the supply of military equipment that did not reach Ukraine, including those still in transit.
Political motivations
– The Trump administration attributes the halt to its strategy: reconsidering peace, pressuring Kyiv to negotiate and the need for peace guarantees before continuing supplies.
– At the same time, the “pause” party is actively criticized both in the United States (senators, the Pentagon) and in Ukraine because of the threat of escalating Russian attacks.
Implications for Ukraine
– The Pause Party has launched an information campaign emphasizing the intensification of Russian missile and drone strikes that can aggressively target civilian infrastructure.
– Analysts warn that without Patriot interceptors, the number of casualties, gaps in air defense, and vulnerability of critical facilities will increase.
The situation is changing
– After President Trump’s conversations with Zelensky and Putin, the United States announced that it was resuming some supplies, including Patriot missiles (10) and other defense assistance.
– At the same time, Washington expects its allies to step up as well: Germany, Italy, and Denmark have already delivered or are ready to deliver air defense systems.
The pause in deliveries was caused by both internal US strategic considerations (preservation of arsenals, pressure on Kyiv) and external circumstances (active conflicts in the world). This underscores Ukraine’s critical need for its own air defense system and strengthens the role of EU partners in supporting Kyiv’s defense.
