US President Donald Trump said a few days after issuing orders to stop the supply of arms to Ukraine, the US will send more weapons to Kiev. Mainly defensive weapons, so that the war -torn country can help protect the Russia’s growing edge.
His statement reflects his sudden change of stance after the announcement made by the ‘Pentagon’ (headquarters of the US Ministry of Defense) last week. The ‘Pentagon’ said that it is currently stopping Ukraine with missiles, accurate target cannons, such as a air strike missiles. This order was given because the US is worried about the fact that its reserves of its own weapons have reduced.
On Washington’s decision to stop the consignment of some weapons to Kiev, he warned that the move would adversely affect Russia’s aerial attacks and its ability to prevent its growth in the battlefield, while Democrats and some fellow Republicans of Trump criticized it.
Trump told reporters at the White House at the beginning of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “We are going to send some more weapons. We have to do so. They have to be able to protect themselves.” He said, “They are now being attacked a lot. We have to send more weapons, mainly defensive weapons.”
Later in a statement, the US Department of Defense said that it would send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine on Trump’s instructions to ensure that the Ukrainians could protect themselves, while efforts to ensure permanent peace would continue. The Pentagon said that its initiative to evaluate military shipments around the world would be effective.
On Friday, Trump told reporters that Ukraine would need Patriot missiles to protect himself, but on Monday he did not mention them specially. The Pentagon statement did not provide any details about the weapons sent to Ukraine.
After a telephone conversation with Trump on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelanski said that he had agreed to work on increasing Kiev’s ability to “protect the sky” in view of Russian attacks. He said that the leaders discussed joint defense production, procurement and investment.
Ukraine is demanding to sell more Patriot missiles and systems than Washington, which he considers important to protect his cities from growing Russian airstrikes. Germany said that it is negotiating to purchase Patriot Air Defense System for Ukraine to bridge the difference.
(With PTI and Reuters Input)
