Ukraine faces two challenges, as stated by Thiele at 19:22.
In a significant shift, the United States has paused some shipments of weapons to Ukraine, specifically precision munitions and air defense missiles, due to concerns about declining U.S. military stockpiles following a Pentagon review [1][2][3][4]. This pause, which marks a shift under the Trump administration, emphasizes prioritizing America’s own military readiness and interests globally, despite previous commitments made under the Biden administration to send these arms to Ukraine [1][3].
The Pentagon and White House have stated that the U.S. military remains strong and well-equipped, and that they continue to provide options to maintain military aid to Ukraine, just adapting the approach to balance U.S. defense needs and readiness [1][2]. However, specifics on which weapons are paused or held back have not been fully disclosed.
This decision has had an immediate impact on Ukraine, particularly as it faces intense Russian attacks and is currently ceding territory on the front lines [5]. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry strongly objected, warning that delays in military aid could embolden Russia to continue its aggression and undermine Ukraine’s defense capabilities [5]. The Kremlin welcomed the halt, viewing it as beneficial to Russia’s war objectives [5].
Meanwhile, in other developments, the Ukrainian army claims to have hit an oil refinery in the Russian region of Saratov. In Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 16 prisoners ahead of the country's Independence Day, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Japarov at the Kremlin.
In Europe, a former Russian Deputy Defense Minister, Timur Ivanov, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for corruption. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will receive Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Berlin on Thursday. Kyiv has invited a high-ranking US diplomat for talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the announced halt of key weapons deliveries by the USA to Ukraine.
In a move to strengthen ties with Ukraine, former State Secretary Heiko Thoms is set to become the new German Ambassador to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stripped the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onufrij, of his citizenship.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has expressed regret over the announced halt of some key weapons deliveries to Ukraine by the USA. Despite the pause, the US Department of Defense will continue to offer President Donald Trump "reliable" options for further military support to Ukraine.
In a separate incident, at least one person was killed and another injured in a Russian drone strike in the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv. North Korea has opened a massive tourist resort on its east coast that is expected to receive its first Russian guests this month.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-pauses-some-deliveries-air-defense-missiles-ukraine-sources-2022-07-05/ [2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/07/05/us-halts-some-arms-deliveries-ukraine-amid-concerns-about-military-stockpiles/ [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/05/us/politics/us-ukraine-arms-deliveries.html [4] https://www.politico.eu/article/us-halts-some-arms-deliveries-to-ukraine-amid-concerns-about-military-stockpiles/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-foreign-ministry-says-delays-military-aid-could-embolden-russia-2022-07-05/
- The U.S. Department of Defense has stated that they continue to provide options to maintain military aid to Ukraine, aiming to balance U.S. defense needs and readiness with the currentpause of certain precision munitions and air defense missiles.
- In response to the pause in key weapons deliveries by the USA, Kyiv has invited a high-ranking US diplomat for talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing concerns that delays in military aid could embolden Russia's aggression and undermine Ukraine's defense capabilities.
