U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that the Biden administration is ‘helping Ukraine a lot’ during a press briefing on July 6, despite the country’s ongoing struggles with stalled military aid. Ukrainian officials have raised concerns over the delay in receiving critical weapons, including Patriot air defense systems and precision-guided munitions, which they argue has left the nation vulnerable to intensified Russian attacks.
Trump, who has repeatedly stated his desire to end the war, has not imposed new sanctions on Russia since taking office and has yet to approve additional military assistance. Instead, the administration has focused its efforts on military action in the Middle East, including recent air strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, a move critics say stands in contrast to Washington’s cautious posture toward Moscow.
While Trump has expressed frustration over his July 3 phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that Putin ‘wants to go all the way and just keep killing people,’ the administration has shown no new support for Kyiv. Two rounds of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul in May and June led only to prisoner exchanges, with no breakthrough on ending hostilities. Moscow has maintained maximalist conditions while rejecting calls for an unconditional ceasefire.
Speaking on Air Force One on July 5, Trump described a July 4 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as ‘very strategic.’ During their conversation, Trump said they discussed Ukraine’s urgent need for air defenses, suggesting that supplying Patriot systems could be a possibility. However, no new authorizations for weapons deliveries have been issued, and the Trump administration has continued to avoid direct economic pressure on Moscow.