The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today, "US Charge d'Affaires John Ginkel was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We emphasized that any delays or postponement in providing Ukraine with defensive capabilities will only encourage Russia to continue the war."

During the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa also expressed gratitude for US support.

Fedir Venislavsky, a member of Ukraine's ruling party and the parliamentary defense committee, earlier described the Pentagon's suspension of aid for certain weapons as "painful" for Kyiv. "This decision is certainly not pleasant for us, given Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine," he told reporters in Kyiv.

A senior source in the Ukrainian military acknowledged the country would face difficulties against Russian attacks without military aid. "We are heavily dependent on supplies from Washington. Europe has tried its best, but it will be very difficult without American weapons," the source said.

The Kremlin welcomed the US decision, stating that the fewer weapons sent to Ukraine, the sooner the conflict will end.

Ukrainian soldiers unload US-supplied weapons in Kyiv in 2/2022. Photo: Reuters

Ukrainian soldiers unload US-supplied weapons in Kyiv in 2/2022. Photo: Reuters

The White House announced on 1/7 that the US would suspend the delivery of some promised weapons to Ukraine due to Pentagon reports indicating a significant depletion of US military stockpiles. The US Department of Defense did not specify which weapons systems were affected by the suspension.

Politico earlier cited sources familiar with the situation as saying the affected weapons include "missiles for the Patriot air defense system, various weapons used by Ukraine on F-16 fighter jets, guided artillery rounds, Hellfire anti-tank missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles."

Since the conflict began in 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with over $66 billion in military aid. Following a public disagreement between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February, Washington briefly suspended arms deliveries and intelligence support to Kyiv.

In a June hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated the Pentagon was urgently eliminating wasteful programs and redirecting funds to President Donald Trump's top priorities. He also emphasized that "Europe needs to take on more responsibility for its own defense."

Last month, Hegseth did not attend a meeting of the international group coordinating military aid to Ukraine, a framework established by the Pentagon 3 years ago. This was the first time a US defense secretary had been absent from the event.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters, AP)