**US Arms Shipment to Ukraine Suspended, Trump Denies Responsibility**
The United States has suspended its arms shipments to Ukraine, sparking criticism from Kyiv as Russian forces continue to bombard the country. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), US President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a phone call on July 4 that he was not responsible for the suspension.
The WSJ reported that Trump said he had ordered a review of Pentagon munitions stockpiles following last month’s US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, but he did not direct the military to halt weapons deliveries. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted the shipment to Ukraine on July 2, despite internal Pentagon assessments showing the aid would not compromise US military readiness.
The suspension of arms shipments has been met with criticism from Kyiv as Russian forces continue to bombard Ukraine. According to reports, hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured in recent weeks. Trump, however, said that he had told Zelensky that the US would provide Ukraine with “more weapons” to help defend itself against Russia’s attacks.
“We’re gonna have to send more weapons, your defensive weapons primarily,” Trump said on July 7. “They have to be able to defend themselves; they’re getting hit very hard now.”
The comments come as tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate. Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 3, saying he was “very disappointed” with the Kremlin’s continued refusal to end hostilities.
**US and Ukraine Look for Ways to Restart Arms Shipments**
Despite the suspension of arms shipments, US and Ukrainian officials are looking for ways to restart them. Politico reported that US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov are scheduled to meet in Rome later this week to discuss restarting US military aid to Ukraine.
More meetings are set to take place in Kyiv over the next two weeks, according to Politico. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is also providing up to 900 million euros ($1.05 billion) in new loans to Ukrainian banks to help them provide credit to businesses and individuals affected by the conflict.
**Russian Forces Continue to Attack Ukraine**
The suspension of arms shipments has come at a time when Russian forces are continuing to attack Ukraine. According to reports, two districts of Kharkiv came under attack on July 7, in which one woman was killed and over 80 people were injured or suffered shock.
As the conflict continues to escalate, Western countries are imposing new sanctions on Russia. The UK has published an updated list of sanctioned individuals and entities, including Lieutenant General Alexei Rtishchev and his deputy Andrei Marchenko, who head Russia’s Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops.
The sanctions come as Russia faces criticism for poor compliance with production quotas in the OPEC+ alliance with Saudi Arabia. Historically, Russia has struggled to meet its production targets under the agreement.
**Experts Weigh In**
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s commissioner for sanctions, told journalists on July 7 that Russia’s growing ability to sustain weapons production despite Western sanctions is being driven by a flow of Chinese components and materials.
“This cannot continue; it must stop,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. “To achieve this, in coordination with American senators, Europe is preparing to introduce, based on French proposals, the toughest sanctions we have imposed in the last three years.”
As the conflict continues to escalate, Western countries are increasing their support for Ukraine. However, the suspension of arms shipments has sparked criticism from Kyiv, and US officials must navigate a complex web of interests as they look for ways to restart them.
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For more information on this story, click here: [https://kyivindependent.com/trump-reportedly-tells-zelensky-hes-not-behind-us-arms-halt-to-ukraine-06-2025/](https://kyivindependent.com/trump-reportedly-tells-zelensky-hes-not-behind-us-arms-halt-to-ukraine-06-2025/)
