US Wants to "Preserve Ukraine"

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that additional defensive weapons would be sent to Ukraine. This statement came after his administration temporarily halted the delivery of certain arms last week.

“We are sending more weapons again. It’s necessary – they must be able to defend themselves,” Trump told reporters before dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “They are taking very heavy hits. That’s why we are sending more weapons – mostly defensive ones.”

Trump’s decision was announced following a review held at the White House regarding defense spending and foreign military assistance. This review was approved by newly appointed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly last week described the decision as “putting America’s interests first.”

According to some US officials, the temporary pause in aid was linked to a number of strategic priorities, including preparation for a potential conflict with China and the need to increase focus on the Pacific region. This direction has been promoted by defense policy chief Elbridge Colby.

In his statement, Colby said: “The Department of Defense continues to provide the President with a wide range of options to support Ukraine militarily. At the same time, we are constantly reassessing our strategic approach while maintaining the combat readiness of our armed forces.”

Russia welcomed the suspension of some US arms deliveries but offered no evidence for the reasons behind the decision. They linked it to decreasing US weapons stockpiles.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on Monday: “At President Trump’s direction, the Department of Defense will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine. This support will enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. At the same time, the strategic criteria for assessing military aid globally remain in effect.”

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, the US has been Ukraine’s largest military donor. US-provided equipment has included air defense systems, drones, missile systems, radars, tanks, and anti-armor weapons.

In March, Trump temporarily halted all military aid after a tense phone call with Zelensky, but aid resumed a week later.

The decision to send more weapons came after separate phone conversations Trump held last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Trump, there was no progress on a ceasefire in the conversation with Putin.

Zelensky has recently been strongly urging Western countries, particularly the US, to strengthen air defenses. On July 4, Kyiv reported that Russia carried out its largest airstrike of the war, launching over 550 drones and missiles.

On Friday, after another phone call with Zelensky, Trump said the US was considering Ukraine’s request for Patriot air defense systems. Zelensky described the call as “the most effective.”

On Monday, President Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction with Putin, saying: “I am absolutely not satisfied with President Putin.” Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!