US lawmakers voice opposition to Trump administration halting air protection shipments to Ukraine

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are voicing their opposition to the Trump administration's choice to halt shipments of some air protection missiles and different weapons beforehand promised to Kyiv.

The U.S. Protection Division (DOD) made the choice to pause the help deliveries after conducting a evaluation of U.S. munitions shares, reportedly involved about dwindling ranges of artillery rounds, air protection missiles, and precision munitions.

Among the many objects being held again from Ukraine are over two dozen Patriot air protection missiles, over two dozen Stinger air-defense techniques, precision artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, drones, and greater than 90 AIM air-to-air missiles that Ukraine launches from F-16 fighter jets. The Washington Put up reported that the weapons have been already in Poland being prepped for supply to Ukraine.

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, lambasted the choice in a post on X.

Fitzpatrick, a staunch ally of Ukraine who has beforehand visited the entrance line, mentioned he "might be aggressively wanting into this matter and might be demanding accountability."

"We should construct up our personal Protection Industrial Base right here within the U.S. whereas concurrently offering the wanted help to our allies who’re defending their freedom from brutal invading dictators. To not do each is unacceptable," the Congressman added.

In a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump in regards to the reported halt of air protection deliveries, Fitzpartick requested an emergency briefing from the White Home and DOD on the shipments.

"Ukraine's braveness should proceed to be met with motion, and the US should proceed to guide with readability and objective," Fitzpartick wrote.

One other Republican Home member, Rep. Michael McCaul, mentioned he’s inspecting "very intensely" whether or not the Pentagon’s freeze breaches laws on support to Ukraine handed in 2024, Politico reported.

As Trump continues to name for a ceasefire from Moscow, McCaul mentioned that the choice comes "on the incorrect time."

"If you wish to get (Russian President Vladimir Putin) to the negotiating desk in good religion, it’s important to put leverage and stress on him, and that will be (Senator) Lindsey Graham’s financial sanctions and the circulation of weapons," McCaul mentioned. "When you take the circulation of weapons out, yeah, you then’re not, you don’t have the leverage over Putin to barter."

Different Republican members of Congress have to this point dismissed issues over the reported halts, stating that they’re ready to be briefed with extra info earlier than talking in regards to the experiences.

On the opposite facet of the isle, Democratic lawmakers have additionally lambasted the true world implications of halting navy support for Ukraine.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Companies Committee, mentioned in an interview that extra civilians are "going to lose extra lives, extra individuals might be maimed and injured — extra properties, hospitals, faculties might be destroyed," calling the choice, "fallacious and possibly even disingenuous."

Since his inauguration in January, Trump has not authorised any extra military aid packages for Ukraine. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth additionally introduced not too long ago that the U.S. will reduce the total aid it sends to Ukraine in its upcoming protection finances.

In his night deal with on July 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Ukrainian and U.S. officers are working via the help concern at a "working stage," together with discussions on vital air protection help. Head of the Presidential Workplace Andriy Yermak held a late evening phone call with Rep. Brian Mast, Chair of the Home Committee on International Affairs.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry mentioned it has not obtained any formal notification of delays or cancellations however has requested pressing consultations with U.S. protection officers.

The International Ministry additionally summoned U.S. Cost d'Affaires John Ginkel, warning that "any hesitation" in navy help would encourage additional Russian aggression.

The Kremlin welcomed the decision, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying, "The less weapons which can be equipped to Ukraine, the nearer the tip of the (warfare)."

NATO Secretary Common Mark Rutte expressed understanding of Washington's want to safeguard its stockpiles however mentioned, "Ukraine can not do with out all of the help it will possibly get."

Ukraine war latest: As Russia ramps up missile attacks, US halts promised air defense shipments to UkraineKey developments on July 2: * As Russia ramps up missile attacks, US halts promised air defense shipments to Ukraine * North Korea to send up to 30,000 more troops to aid Russia’s war against Ukraine, CNN reports * Ukraine denies another Russian claim of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast breakthrough, says small incursion repelledThe Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk