Trump's weapons freeze on Ukraine could bring devastating consequences

[Celerity]

As Russia embarks on a new offensive, the U.S. decision courts catastrophe.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/07/02/ukraine-russia-war-trump-weapons-freeze-missiles/

https://archive.ph/7n34K



The grinding war of attrition in Ukraine, which has inflicted horrific casualty tolls on both sides, has now reached an inflection point. Russia has embarked on a new offensive 3½ years into the conflict it started. It has escalated its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. President Vladimir Putin, sticking to his maximalist territorial demands, has rejected all entreaties for a ceasefire. Ukraine, battered and exhausted, is facing critical shortages of weapons and soldiers. Without an immediate increase in aid, Ukraine’s Western backers warn, a catastrophic failure could be imminent for the government in Kyiv.

And now comes news that the Trump administration is halting some weapons shipments to Ukraine. This pause includes interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system — the centerpiece of Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s aerial bombardment — as well as precision-guided artillery shells and missiles used by Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets. These are weapons promised by the Biden administration, with some already positioned in Poland. The Trump administration reportedly decided to freeze weapons shipments in early June, but the move came to light only this week.

The freeze comes after a Pentagon review determined that U.S. munitions stockpiles were running dangerously low. There were reportedly plans to redirect some of the artillery shells and air defense systems back to the United States or to Israel. The U.S. military is said to have quadrupled its procurement targets for the Patriot interceptors, but the procurement process is lengthy, often taking many years because of the complexity of the systems and intricate supply chains. According to the White House press secretary’s office, the decision “was made to put America’s interests first.” In addition to the freeze, the Trump administration has not proposed to Congress any new military aid package for Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Iran have certainly placed a strain on weapons stocks — especially the Patriot interceptors. The administration is correct to assess America’s own vulnerabilities and be prepared for any contingencies, particularly threats to the homeland. But pausing deliveries of these crucial weapons systems to Ukraine now, when Russia is on the march, could have devastating and irreversible consequences. The United States, its European allies and the world will be less safe if Russia emerges victorious.

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