**US Halts Some Weapons Shipments to Kyiv as Russia’s War Against Ukraine Intensifies**
The White House has announced that the US will be halting some of its weapons shipments to Ukraine, citing concerns about the country’s own military stockpiles. This decision comes at a time when Russia’s war against Ukraine has intensified, with reports of one of Russia’s largest aerial attacks on Ukraine since the start of the conflict.
According to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, the US Department of Defense conducted a review of its military support and assistance to other countries, leading to the decision to “put America’s interests first.” This means that some weapons shipments, including air defense missiles and precision munitions, will be put on hold. However, it is unclear which specific shipments are being affected.
**Concerns About US Military Stockpiles**
The decision to halt some US military aid to Ukraine has been attributed to concerns about the country’s own military stockpiles falling too low. This is not the first time that concerns have been raised about US military preparedness, particularly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In fact, some officials from the Trump administration had previously expressed concerns that US stockpiles were too low.
The Biden administration has maintained a strong commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts, with tens of billions of dollars worth of military aid sent to the country since 2022. However, it appears that this commitment is being tempered by concerns about US military readiness and capabilities.
**Russia’s Escalation**
The decision to halt some US military aid to Ukraine comes as Russia has escalated its war against Ukraine. Over the weekend, Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine since the start of the conflict, using more than 500 different types of weapons, including drones, ballistic and cruise missiles.
This escalation is a worrying development for both Ukraine and the West, which have been providing military aid to support Kyiv’s defense efforts. The fact that Russia is able to carry out such large-scale attacks suggests that its military capabilities are still formidable, despite the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
**US Officials’ Response**
The US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby, said in a statement that the Department of Defense “continues to provide the President with robust options to continue military aid to Ukraine… At the same time, the Department is rigorously examining and adapting its approach to achieving this objective while also preserving U.S. forces’ readiness for Administration defense priorities.”
This response suggests that the US is trying to balance its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts with concerns about its own military readiness and capabilities.
**Conclusion**
The decision by the US to halt some weapons shipments to Kyiv marks a significant shift in the country’s policy towards Ukraine. While it is understandable that the US would want to prioritize its own military stockpiles, this decision comes at a time when Russia’s war against Ukraine has intensified.
It remains to be seen how this development will affect the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the broader regional dynamics. One thing is certain: the situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate, with both sides suffering significant losses.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
