【Text by Observers Network, Zhang Jingjuan】As Russia intensifies its air attacks on Ukraine, the U.S. government has slowed down the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. After learning about this, Ukraine urgently summoned U.S. diplomats to express dissatisfaction over being "cut off".

According to reports from Associated Press and "Russia Today" (RT), on July 3 local time, U.S. President Trump told reporters before boarding the presidential jet "Air Force One" to travel to Iowa that the U.S. is still providing weapons to Ukraine, but prioritizing American interests.

"We are still providing weapons, but we have given too many weapons. You know, former President Biden emptied our entire country, giving them weapons. We must ensure we have enough weapons," said Trump.

He added, "But we are indeed providing weapons and cooperating with them and trying to help them," but did not specify which weapons were suspended and which were still being supplied.

Associated Press noted that this is the first time Trump has publicly commented on the suspension of weapon deliveries to Ukraine since Russia escalated its offensive.

Trump in an interview, screenshot

The report stated that Trump has long criticized the U.S. for providing aid to Ukraine without reciprocal benefits, and since he took office, his administration has not approved any new aid plans. According to data from the Kiel Institute in Germany, the U.S. has delivered nearly $115 billion in military and financial aid to Kyiv since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Washington recently signed an agreement allowing the U.S. to prioritize access to Ukraine's mineral resources, and the White House said the move would help recover some of the taxpayer funds spent under the Biden administration.

America's political news website (Politico) and NBC reported on July 1 that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered an audit of the U.S. arms inventory weeks earlier, after which the decision to delay shipments was made.

According to sources, the weapons suspended from delivery to Ukraine include dozens of "Patriot" intercept missiles, thousands of 155mm howitzer shells, more than 100 "Hellfire" missiles, over 250 precision-guided rocket systems (GMLRS), dozens of "Stinger" surface-to-air missiles, "AIM" air-to-air missiles, and multiple sets of grenade launchers.

White House Deputy Spokesperson Anna Kelly confirmed the matter in a statement. She said the decision aligned with U.S. interests.

"Patriot" missile system. Social platform

The news of the aid suspension caused strong reactions in Kyiv. Ukrainian parliament member Mariana Bezuglaya wrote on a social platform, "The U.S. is no longer our ally." Although the MP made these remarks, Ukraine and the U.S. have never established any formal alliance, and the U.S. government has so far refused to provide any NATO-style security guarantees to Kyiv.

On the 2nd, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Ukraine had summoned the deputy head of the U.S. embassy in Kyiv and emphasized the importance of continuing critical military assistance to resist Russian forces.

The statement pointed out, "Ukraine emphasized that any delay or procrastination in supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities will only encourage aggressors to continue the war and acts of terror, rather than prompting them to seek peace."

Russia has repeatedly condemned Western countries' delivery of weapons to Ukraine, claiming it prolongs the conflict and may lead to broader escalation.

Russian President's press secretary and Kremlin spokesperson Peskov said on the 3rd that the fewer missiles arriving in Ukraine from abroad, the sooner the special military operation would end.

On the same day, Russian President Putin spoke with Trump for about an hour. Trump told reporters that although they had a "rather long conversation," there was "no progress made on resolving the war."

"I am not satisfied with this," Trump said.

Russian officials said the conversation was "frank and constructive." Russian presidential aide Ushakov said that Putin reiterated during the call that Moscow remains open to negotiations, but stated that Russia would not retreat until the "well-known fundamental reasons" behind the Russia-Ukraine conflict are eliminated.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523105157413011994/

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