President Trump speaks within the Blue Room of the White Home on Monday.
Alex Brandon/AP
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Alex Brandon/AP
KYIV – The Pentagon mentioned on Monday that it’s going to ship extra defensive weapons to Ukraine on the request of President Trump, reversing a call every week in the past to pause air protection shipments already en path to the Ukrainian navy.
In an announcement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell mentioned the weapons would “ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure that the killing stops.”
Talking on the White Home alongside a U.S. and Israeli delegation, Trump instructed reporters that Ukrainians should be capable of defend themselves in opposition to escalating Russian assaults.
“They’re getting hit very hard now,” Trump mentioned, and reiterated his disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Smoke rises after a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine on July 4.
Yehor Konovalov/AP
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Yehor Konovalov/AP
After Trump’s July 3 telephone name with Putin, the Kremlin launched what the Ukrainian navy described because the largest airstrikes on Ukraine because the starting of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian air power mentioned it recorded greater than 539 drones and 11 missiles – a report.
Hanna Shelest, director of safety research on the Ukrainian Prism International Coverage Council, instructed NPR that it is clear Russia shouldn’t be heeding calls by Trump and Ukraine for a ceasefire.
“I don’t see anyone except Russia who is winning,” she mentioned. “Russia is dragging out negotiations so the U.S. won’t introduce new sanctions against them but all signs show that they’re not serious about ending the war.”
Trump has repeatedly threatened sanctions in opposition to Russia if it does not agree to finish the warfare. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., has launched a invoice that will impose 500% tariffs on nations that purchase Russian oil – that would come with the 2 most populous nations on this planet, China and India.
With Russian assaults escalating, Ukraine relies on air protection methods and munitions equipped by western allies – together with the U.S.-designed Patriot missile system – to guard Ukrainian cities. Ukraine’s protection and overseas ministries mentioned they have been caught off guard final week when the Pentagon abruptly determined to pause shipments that included Patriot missiles, Hellfire missiles and Howitzer rounds.
The Pentagon mentioned it halted shipments due to issues stockpiles have been operating low – a proof Shelest finds baffling.
“It would mean quite a negative for the U.S. reputation in the world because of what it says about U.S. capabilities,” she mentioned. “So they’re sending the signal (of) how weak they are.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced up the pressing want for air protection in a July 4 telephone name with Trump that Zelenskyy later described as “the best conversation in all this time, extremely productive.”
“We discussed air defense issues, and I am grateful for the willingness to help,” Zelenskyy mentioned throughout his nightly video tackle on Saturday.
On this picture, taken on July 2, close to Kharkiv, Ukraine, and supplied by Ukraine’s 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Protection press service, an air protection soldier will get prepared to fireplace in opposition to Russian targets.
Anatolii Lysianskyi/Ukrainian 127th Separate Brigade by way of AP
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Anatolii Lysianskyi/Ukrainian 127th Separate Brigade by way of AP
Zelenskyy additionally mentioned Ukraine had inked offers with western allies and an American protection firm on joint drone manufacturing which, he mentioned, might present Ukraine with lots of of hundreds of drones as early as this 12 months.
“This includes interceptor drones, which are clearly our priority,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Methods Forces, mentioned in a social media submit that Ukrainian navy intelligence signifies that Russia might quickly launch 1000 assault drones per day.
“That’s the trajectory,” mentioned Phillips O’Brien, a professor of strategic research on the College of St. Andrews in Scotland.
“As long as Putin believes the war is trending in his direction, and Trump seems uninclined to put any pressure on him, then I think Putin will keep fighting,” he mentioned.
