Missiles for Patriot are on hold: MFA and Defense Ministry verify information on US arms halt
2 July 2025 16:41
Following reports in the Western press about the possible suspension of some U.S. arms shipments, the situation caused a significant response in Ukraine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, while the Defense Ministry emphasized that no official announcements of any changes in the schedule have been made.
Meanwhile, experts warn that the delay in aid is not only a matter of logistics, but also a geopolitical choice, the consequences of which will have a global impact. Why did the US temporarily suspend some of the arms supplies to Ukraine? Does this mean a change in Washington’s approach to supporting Kyiv and could this decision affect the war in Ukraine tomorrow ?
on July 2, John Hinkel, the US Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine, was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The meeting was held on behalf of Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, the Foreign Ministry’s press service reported.
“The key topic of the conversation with the American diplomat was US military assistance and defense cooperation between the two countries against the backdrop of Russia’s escalating aggression and terror against Ukraine,” the official statement said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa expressed gratitude to the United States for the support provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war. She emphasized the need to continue defense supplies, especially in the area of air defense.
“Any delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities will only encourage the aggressor to continue the war and terror rather than seek peace,” Betz emphasized.
The Ukrainian side also drew attention to Russia’s rejection of the ceasefire, which not only rejects the full and unconditional ceasefire that Ukraine agreed to on March 11, but also continues to intensify aerial terror against Ukrainian cities and communities, killing civilians, and attacking on the battlefield.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Ukraine supports peace efforts and the U.S. position on the need to immediately stop the killings and end the war. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of increasing pressure on the Kremlin.
Why did the US stop supplying weapons to Ukraine?
The US administration has temporarily suspended the supply of a number of weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot and Hellfire missiles and artillery shells. This was reported by Politico, citing sources familiar with the decision.
According to the publication, the reason was fears of a reduction in the United States’ own strategic weapons stockpile. After a review of the situation with the Defense Department’s stockpiles by the Pentagon’s political director, Albright Colby, Washington decided to suspend the shipment of some ammunition.
The following were put on hold:
- dozens of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system;
- thousands of 155-mm high-explosive artillery shells
- more than 100 high-precision Hellfire missiles used from drones and F-16 fighters.
According to The Washington Post, the decision to stop was made in early June, but it has only just begun to be implemented.
Donald Trump’s team confirmed that the supply of some weapons has been suspended. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly explained this by reviewing global military aid.
“The decision was made to put America’s interests first after the Department of Defense reviewed our military support and assistance to other countries around the world. The power of the U.S. Armed Forces remains undeniable – just ask Iran,” said Anna Kelly.
Earlier, the US Congress blocked $300 million for Ukraine’s defense needs. In addition, Pentagon Chief Pete Haggett said that in 2026, it is planned to reduce the security assistance budget for Kyiv.
What does the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine say?
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has responded to media reports about a possible delay in the delivery of certain elements of defense aid from the United States. The ministry emphasized that there have been no official reports of any suspension or change in the schedules of previously agreed deliveries.
“The Ukrainian side has paid attention to reports of delays in the delivery of certain elements of previously allocated US defense assistance packages and is clarifying the actual factual circumstances,” the Defense Ministry said in an official statement.
The ministry said it had already initiated a phone conversation with American partners to clarify the situation. The inspection continues for each element of defense supplies.
The Ministry urged citizens to rely only on verified information from official sources, as some public comments may be based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
What does the Office of the President of Ukraine say?
In a comment to Ukrainian journalists, Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President, confirmed that the United States continues to supply air defense systems and maintains its support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
“America does not stop supporting Ukraine in protecting civilians from missile attacks. There are enough missile defense systems and missiles in the US warehouses, and negotiations are underway to supply them, including on a commercial basis,” Podoliak said.
Amid the disappointing news, financier Serhiy Fursa explains why a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine could have a completely different – catastrophic – scenario under Trump’s presidency .
He reminds us that during his last press conference, the American president said that he had “great respect” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called him “nice,” and promised to “think about” whether to provide Kyiv with Patriot systems. Such rhetoric is in stark contrast to the reality, where the Trump administration is initiating the suspension of supplies of a number of critical weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to Ukrainian financier and publicist Serhiy Fursa, Trump is not lying when he claims that there might not have been a war under his presidency. But the reason would not be his diplomatic genius, but his actual connivance with the aggressor.
Fursa is convinced that even if Kyiv had resisted in the first days of the invasion, in the summer of 2022, under Trump’s term, the front would have been choked by a lack of weapons, and the economy would have been hit by a budget deficit. And in the fall of 2022, Trump could “reconcile” Ukraine with Russia, conditionally through a deal with Viktor Medvedchuk, whom he saw as president.
“By the winter of 2023, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus would have united into a single state, correcting, in Putin’s words, ‘the greatest injustice of the twentieth century,'” Fursa ironically says.
So, war is not just about tanks and missiles. It is also a choice. And this choice was made by the Americans in 2024, with consequences that will affect the whole world.
