U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a July 4 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he was not responsible for the suspension of U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine, according to the Wall Street Journal. The decision to halt the delivery of critical defense systems such as Patriot air defense missiles and precision-guided munitions has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv, where the Ukrainian government has expressed frustration over the move, especially given the intensifying aerial attacks by Russia, which have claimed numerous civilian lives in recent weeks.
The suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine was reportedly taken unilaterally by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, despite Pentagon assessments that indicated the aid would not compromise U.S. military readiness. Trump, however, maintained that the decision was not attributable to him and instead pointed to internal administrative processes. During the July 4 conversation, Trump emphasized that Ukraine needed continued support to defend itself against the ongoing Russian aggression, which he framed as an existential threat to the nation.
In recent days, Trump has remained vocal about his stance on the conflict, insisting that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with additional weapons to counter the scale of Russian attacks. In a public statement, he remarked, "They have to be able to defend themselves, they’re getting hit very hard now," during a press conference alongside a U.S. and Israeli delegation at the White House. However, the suspension of military aid has cast a shadow over these assurances, prompting questions about the coherence of Trump’s strategy on the issue.
Meanwhile, officials are working to address the impasse. U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg is set to meet with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Rome later this week to discuss the resumption of U.S. military aid. The meeting comes at a time of heightened tension, as both sides continue to trade accusations and threats amid the ongoing conflict. The recent phone call between Trump and Zelensky, which the U.S. president described as "very strategic," has added a new layer of complexity to an already turbulent situation, with no clear resolution in sight.