The move comes after reports that Washington had suspended the transfer of several key weapons systems to Kiev, in the context of Ukraine increasingly relying on foreign military aid to maintain its defense capabilities against Russian forces.
According to some US newspapers, Washington has temporarily suspended the transfer of patriot interceptor missiles, GMLRS missiles, Hellfire missiles and thousands of 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine. One of them said that some of these weapons had reached Europe but had not been handed over to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed at the meeting that continuing to provide allocated aid packages, especially air defense systems, was very important. Foreign Minister Andrey Sybiga affirmed that any delay in supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities will prolong the conflict.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said it was still clarifying the situation and had not received any official notice from the US about the temporary suspension of aid. Meanwhile, media sources quoted US defense officials as saying the decision to suspend some shipments was made after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested a review of existing weapons depots, due to concerns about the risk of shortage of ammunition.
White House Press Deputy Secretary Anna Kelly confirmed that some transfer activities have been suspended, citing reasons for prioritizing US national interests and global commitments.
This is the second time the Trump administration has suspended ammunition supplies to Kiev since he took office. Ukraine has repeatedly expressed disappointment at the decline in support from Washington.
At the NATO summit in The Hague last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky directly requested additional patriot air defense systems from President Trump but did not receive a specific commitment. Mr. Trump emphasized that patriots are "very difficult to find" assets and the US needs them for domestic defense needs as well as support Israel.
Russia has long criticized the Western supply of weapons to Ukraine, saying it only prolonged the conflict and caused more casualties without changing the outcome.
