Italian PM says US did not halt Ukraine military support

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the United States has "reviewed the decision to supply specific components" to Ukraine but has not stopped its military support, pushing back against reports of a broader withdrawal.

"The United States has not stopped supplying weapons and supporting Ukraine, it has reviewed the decision to supply specific components... [this is] significant but very different from the total American disengagement that has been reported," Meloni said on July 4, speaking at a public forum. She added that she had spoken to President Donald Trump about the matter and was hopeful for "positive developments on the issue," Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Meloni’s comments follow growing uncertainty over Washington’s military aid to Kyiv. On July 3, Trump denied that the US has paused arms deliveries to Ukraine despite multiple media reports suggesting a halt in shipments.

However, on July 2, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that parts of the aid package have indeed been suspended while the Defense Department conducts a review of foreign military assistance.

The suspended items reportedly include two dozen Patriot air defence missiles, more than 24 Stinger systems, precision-guided artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, drones, and over 90 AIM air-to-air missiles compatible with F-16 fighter jets.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged Washington’s concerns about its own defence needs but stressed Ukraine's urgent requirements.

"I totally understand that the U.S. always has to make sure its interests are covered... When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get," Rutte said on July 2.

On the same day, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers criticized the move to suspend shipments. Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said:

"We must build up our own Defense Industrial Base here in the U.S. while simultaneously providing the needed assistance to our allies who are defending their freedom from brutal invading dictators. To not do both is unacceptable."

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the decision "fallacious and maybe even disingenuous."

By Sabina Mammadli