**Trump Claims He Would Know About Decision to Halt Ukraine Weapons Shipments**
US President Donald Trump has made a surprising claim that he would be aware of any decision from his administration to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine. This statement comes on the heels of reports that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered a temporary pause in arms deliveries to Ukraine without informing the White House.
On July 9, a reporter asked Trump about his previous claims that he didn’t know who authorized the pause. Trump responded by saying, “I would know,” contradicting his earlier remarks. This inconsistency has raised questions about the confusion and mixed messaging from the Trump White House regarding an unexpected military aid suspension.
**A Confusing Picture**
The decision to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine was made on July 2, affecting a package that included key munitions such as Patriot interceptor missiles, artillery rounds, and air-to-air missiles. The delay in air defense deliveries came at a time when Ukraine was facing some of the largest Russian drone and missile attacks this year.
Initially, Trump denied the suspension, saying, “We haven’t (paused the shipments). We’re giving weapons.” Later, he claimed that he wasn’t responsible for the decision to halt shipments. However, the White House and State Department later confirmed that Trump had ordered the resumption of weapons deliveries to Kyiv.
**Behind-the-Scenes Politics**
Sources close to CNN have revealed that Hegseth made the decision at the recommendation of Pentagon official Elbridge Colby, who has been a long-time critic of military aid to Ukraine. This decision was reportedly taken without consulting Secretary of State Marco Rubio or US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg.
The pause in arms deliveries has sparked concerns about the impact on Ukraine’s military capabilities and its ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.
**Trump’s Shift in Tone**
In a recent development, Trump has suggested that the US is interested in providing Ukraine with more weapons, including a possible Patriot air defense system. This move would represent Trump’s first major arms transfer to Kyiv not previously authorized by the Biden administration.
As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the decision-making process behind the halt and resumption of weapons shipments has left many questions unanswered.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
