The skies over Ukraine darkened considerably on Wednesday, July 2, with the announcement of a “pause” in the delivery of crucial US air defense systems needed to counter the daily volleys of missiles and drones launched by Russia. After raising doubts at the NATO summit on June 24 and 25 in The Hague, Donald Trump carried out his threat “to put America’s interests first,” according to White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.
This decision, supported by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby – a strong proponent of shifting US focus toward Asia and a highly influential figure at the Pentagon – was approved on Wednesday by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. It calls for suspending the delivery to Ukraine of Patriot anti-missile missiles, as well as 155 mm artillery shells, GMLRS ground-to-ground missiles, Hellfire anti-tank missiles, Stinger surface-to-air missiles and air-to-air missiles for F-16 aircraft.
Russia immediately welcomed the news. “As far as we understand the reason for this decision was empty [US] warehouses […] But in any case, the fewer weapons are supplied to Ukraine, the closer the end of the ‘special military operation,’” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
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