United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that his government will send more weapons to Ukraine so that the country can “defend itself” from Russia. Less than a week ago the Pentagon had temporarily suspended some shipments due to a routine review.
“We have to send more weapons. We must do so to be able to defend themselves. They are being attacked very hard,” Trump told the press during a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House.
The president specified that the weaponry will be “mainly defensive”.
Trump reiterated his frustration with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin for refusing to accept a truce.
“I’m not happy with President Putin,” said Trump, who had already reported the same week after a telephone conversation with the Russian leader.
“I stop wars and hate to see people die,” he added.
The White House assured on Monday that the break in certain arms shipments to Ukraine, announced last week, is temporary and is due to a routine review of the Military Assistance program to foreign allies.
Among the material affected by the suspension are interceptors for Patriot Air Defense Systems, accuracy artillery projectiles and missiles launched by American F-16 aircraft, according to US press-cited Pentagon officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday said, after a telephone conversation with Trump, that both agreed to work together to reinforce Ukraine air defense capabilities.
