In a recent interview with NBC, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States is sending weapons to Ukraine via NATO, following a week of uncertainty regarding US military assistance to the war-torn nation.
This announcement comes in the wake of a Pentagon statement on July 2, which revealed that some weapon deliveries to Ukraine were being paused due to concerns about the dwindling US stockpiles.
Trump stated, “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%. So what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons (to Ukraine), and NATO is paying for those weapons.”
The President also indicated that he would make a “major statement” regarding Russia on July 14, although he did not provide specific details on what he intended to announce.
On July 8, Trump appeared to reverse the previous halting of weapon deliveries, stating that the US would be supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine, particularly as Russian forces intensified their advances.
In light of some Congress members’ criticism over the Pentagon’s announcement, this shift underscores Trump’s commitment to maintaining military support for Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities.
Expressing discontent with Russian leadership, Trump mentioned that he is considering imposing new sanctions on Moscow, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Trump has also stated that he is reviewing a bill proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal, which would impose sanctions and tariffs on nations aiding Russia’s war efforts in addition to targeting the country’s banking system.
Keith Kellogg, the US special representative, is scheduled to visit Ukraine starting on July 14 and is expected to remain in the country for an entire week, although it remains unclear if his trip is related to Trump’s anticipated statement.
Amid these developments, the conflict continues to take a toll. On July 11, Ukrainian officials reported that at least one person had died and 14 were injured in a Russian drone strike in the Kharkiv region.
The attack also caused partial damage to a maternity hospital in Kharkiv, with regional administrator Oleh Synyehubov providing the grim details.
In a counterclaim, Russian officials accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack in Russia’s Tula region, resulting in at least one fatality.
There were also reports that Ukrainian drones may have targeted the Kronshtadt drone factory in the Moscow region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for increased support from allies during a conference in Rome on July 9, emphasizing the necessity for more weapons, joint defense production, and investment in reconstruction efforts.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, as Poland plays a crucial role as a logistics hub for international assistance to Ukraine.
Earlier on July 10, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Malaysia to address the ongoing conflict and urged Moscow to show more flexibility in negotiations.
Rubio emphasized, “We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude,” and remarked on the significance of US engagement in talks with Russia.
Describing the meeting as a “frank conversation,” Rubio noted that the Pentagon’s recent statement about weapons being sent to Ukraine was mischaracterized, asserting that the majority of military aid to Ukraine had not been paused.
He pointed out Ukraine’s necessity for more Patriot systems, adding that many are available in European countries, but none are eager to part with them.
Highlighting Russia’s losses, Rubio claimed that the country has lost around 100,000 soldiers since January, a figure he clarified excludes the injured and noted that Ukraine’s losses, though significant, are comparatively fewer.
As the conflict progresses, it is evident that military aid and international support will remain pivotal in shaping the landscape of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
image source from：rferl
