The US is considering freezing weapons shipments from US stockpiles to Ukraine, according to reports, in what would be a bitter blow to Kyiv’s forces. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Pentagon has sent the Ukrainian armed forces 71 shipments of military aid from existing stockpiles worth an estimated $33.8 billion (£26.6 billion).
However, the Wall Street Journal reports that the inventory drawdowns – the main route for the transfer of weapons to Kyiv – could be stopped by the Trump administration, just days after the US President’s fierce row with Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House. The US newspaper also reports that Mr Trump has, in recent weeks, stopped financing new weapons sales to Ukraine amid the administration’s freeze on foreign aid. Under Joe Biden, the US was Ukraine’s biggest donor of military aid but Mr Trump’s approach to the war is very different and is looking to end the conflict quickly.
It is widely viewed that Ukraine would not be able to sustain its fight against Russia without US support.
On Monday, reporters asked Mr Trump whether he would consider cancelling military aid to Ukraine.
He responded: “I haven’t even talked about that right now. We’ll see what happens.
“A lot of things are happening right now, as we speak, literally as we speak.
“I could go back and do the Oval Office and find out that the answer is obsolete.”
He also discussed the Ukrainian President’s comments that the war could be a long way away from ending, saying: “He better not be right about that. That’s all I’m saying. I wanna see it end fast.”
Mr Trump had earlier renewed his war of words with Mr Zelensky, claiming on his Truth Social platform that the Ukrainian leader “doesn’t want there to be peace”.
The Wall Street Journal reports the meeting to consider suspending ongoing weapon shipments from existing inventories emerged after the row with Mr Zelensky on Friday.
This came before, on Monday night, Mr Zelensky said on social media that Kyiv had been reviewing support packages and contracts.
He said on Telegram: “There are good results on artillery contracts – Ukraine needs a solid foundation. Next – drones, an unwavering priority. Air defense – additional systems have now arrived in Ukraine from Lithuania. The Prime Minister of Ukraine reported today on finances for this year – we are securing all necessary funding and will get through 2025 financially.”
He added: “There were also some special issues concerning our national resilience on the Staff meeting agenda today – we are working on all possible scenarios to protect Ukraine.
“The baseline scenario is to hold positions and create conditions for proper diplomacy, for the soonest possible end to this war with a decent peace. We need peace – real, fair peace – not endless war.”
Sir Keir Starmer, who on Sunday unveilved a four step-plan for Ukraine discussed by European leaders, told MPs that the UK must “lead from the front” on the conflict.
