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Donald Trump halts crucial weapons shipments to Ukraine just days after Vladimir Putin pummels Kyiv with ‘massive airstrikes’

Donald Trump has halted a number of key weapons shipments to Ukraine over concerns American stockpiles are running too low.

Despite the military aid being promised to Kyiv under Joe Biden, a recent Pentagon review found that levels of at least three types of weaponry were dwindling.


Artillery rounds, air defence missiles and precision munitions are said to be in low stock.

The specific weaponry being cut includes missiles for Patriot air defence systems, precision artillery rounds, Hellfire anti-armour projectiles, and other missiles that Ukraine launches from its F-16 fighter jets and drones.

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in The Hague

Donald Trump met Volodymyr Zelensky at a Nato summit in The Hague just days ago

GETTY

The White House has said that the decision “was made to put America’s interests first following a Department of Defense review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe”.

“The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned – just ask Iran,” its deputy press chief said.

The decision to halt certain shipments is said to have been made in early June.

It follows Trump’s highly controversial move to shut off military aid altogether – and later U-turn – after his testy White House sit-down with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.

LATEST FROM UKRAINE:

Patriot air defence systems in Slovakia

The specific weaponry being cut includes missiles for Patriot air defence systems (pictured)

REUTERS

All weapons aid was briefly paused in February with a second longer pause in March.

The Trump administration then resumed sending the last of the aid approved under Biden.

But this week’s move has come into effect mere days after Vladimir Putin’s Russia carried out its largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the war.

Ukraine’s air force was forced to contend with some 477 drones and 60 missiles hurtling towards its cities, with a spokesman calling it “the most massive airstrike” since February 2022.

\u200bVladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin’s Russia carried out its largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the war on June 29

REUTERS

However, Zelensky’s forces may still be in line for more US aid.

In an email, the Pentagon said it was providing Trump “options” to keep supporting Ukraine in order to bring an end to Russia’s invasion.

Russia now controls as much as a fifth of Ukraine – an area larger than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland put together.

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