Washington DC [US], July 8: US President Donald Trump reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia, announcing plans to send additional defensive weapons amid the ongoing conflict now in its third year.
The statement came during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. Trump addressed recent reports suggesting a temporary halt in US weapons deliveries to Ukraine, clarifying that support would continue.
“We are going to send some more weapons to Ukraine. They have to be able to defend themselves. They are getting hit very hard now… Defensive weapons, primarily,” Trump said, acknowledging the heavy toll of the war. “So many people are dying in that mess,” he added.
Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed speculation about a pause in aid, calling it a routine Pentagon review. “This was a standard review by the Pentagon of all weapons and support being provided globally,” she said. “It’s a pause to ensure everything being sent aligns with the best interests of the United States military.”
CNN reported that the Trump administration had temporarily halted certain weapons deliveries—including air defense systems—due to a broader review of US military spending and foreign assistance. The review, reportedly ongoing for several months, was approved by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the US has remained Ukraine’s largest individual supplier of military aid, providing key defense systems such as drones, rocket launchers, radars, tanks, and anti-armor equipment. This extensive support has led to growing concerns about strain on US defense stockpiles, according to CNN.
In March, Trump briefly suspended all military aid to Ukraine following a tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, the aid resumed shortly after, within a week.
Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground remains intense. On Friday night, Russia launched a massive assault on Kyiv, deploying over 500 drones and 11 missiles. The attack killed one person, injured at least 23 others, and caused widespread damage across the Ukrainian capital, Al Jazeera reported.