**U.S. Reverses Course on Ukraine Aid, Attends International Conference**
In a sudden turn of events, the United States has decided to resume sending weapons to Ukraine, just days after announcing a brief halt in aid. This decision comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, prepares to attend an international conference on aid for the war-torn country.
The Rome conference, set to take place from July 10-11, aims to mobilize international support for Ukraine and discuss the massive reconstruction efforts needed after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. According to estimates by the World Bank, a staggering 500 billion euros ($590 billion) will be required to rebuild and modernize Ukraine.
**Ukraine Seeks More Military Aid**
Kyiv has been pressing Washington to provide more Patriot missiles and systems, crucial for defending its cities against intensifying Russian airstrikes and battlefield advances. Germany has also announced plans to purchase Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine to bridge the gap created by the brief pause in U.S. shipments.
**High-Stakes Conference**
The Rome conference will bring together top officials from around the world, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are also expected to attend.
**Commentary**
This sudden reversal in U.S. policy on Ukraine aid is a significant development, especially after Trump’s comments that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not appear to be looking for an end to the conflict. The resumption of arms shipments to Ukraine suggests a renewed commitment from Washington to support its ally in the face of Russian aggression.
However, the decision also raises questions about the effectiveness of diplomacy in resolving the crisis. As the war in Ukraine continues to intensify, it remains to be seen whether this latest development will mark a turning point in the conflict or simply lead to more bloodshed and devastation.
**Analysis**
The Rome conference is a crucial step towards mobilizing international support for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. However, the scale of the challenge ahead is daunting, with estimates suggesting that hundreds of billions of euros are needed to rebuild and modernize the country.
In this context, it is essential for world leaders to come together and commit to providing the necessary aid and support to Ukraine. The resumption of U.S. weapons shipments is a welcome development, but much more needs to be done to ensure that Kyiv can effectively defend itself against Russian aggression.
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