The United States has resumed shipments of defensive weapons to Ukraine, ending a brief but critical pause that drew sharp attention from both Ukrainian officials and international observers.
The resumption was confirmed Thursday by the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump reversed a decision by the Pentagon to suspend deliveries of key air defense munitions. The pause came at a particularly perilous time, as Ukraine faced some of the most intense Russian missile assaults since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
At the start of July, the Pentagon had ordered a halt to certain weapons transfers — including precision-guided munitions and air defense missiles — over concerns about dwindling U.S. stockpiles. That decision, reportedly made without direct approval from the White House, was attributed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, following a recommendation from Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s chief of policy, according to reporting by POLITICO.
President Trump publicly addressed the controversy earlier this week, distancing himself from the temporary freeze and announcing that the flow of arms would continue.
“Putin is not treating human beings right. So we’re sending some defensive weapons, and I’ve approved that,” Trump said Tuesday during an impromptu press briefing.
The decision comes on the heels of a deadly Russian missile barrage on the Ukrainian capital. Late Wednesday, six Russian ballistic missiles breached Ukrainian air defenses and struck Kyiv, killing two and injuring at least 16 more. The attack underscored Ukraine’s urgent need for advanced interceptors like the U.S.-made Patriot missiles — systems that have become increasingly scarce on the battlefield.
President Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Western allies to maintain and expand military support as Russia ramps up long-range strikes on urban centers and energy infrastructure.
While the temporary pause did not affect all forms of military aid, it sparked alarm in Kyiv and among NATO partners, raising questions about the reliability of U.S. support at a pivotal moment in the conflict.
The reinstated shipments are expected to include crucial air defense components, although specific details on the volume and timing of deliveries have not been disclosed.
With Russian forces intensifying their pressure along multiple fronts and Ukraine’s own defense resources stretched thin, the return of American military support is being received as a timely, if momentary, reassurance of Washington’s commitment — even as political dynamics in the U.S. continue to complicate foreign policy decisions.
