Von der Leyen urges EU to fill void as US halts some arms supplies to Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the recent US decision to halt certain weapons supplies to Ukraine as a “signal” urging European countries to increase their military assistance to Kyiv.

Speaking at a press conference in Aarhus, Denmark, where she arrived as Denmark assumed the EU Council presidency on July 1, von der Leyen emphasised the need for the EU to fill the gap, Caliber.Az reports via TASS.

She called on member states to take out military loans and engage in joint weapons procurement coordinated by the European Commission.

“The US decision is a clear signal to EU countries about the need to increase European supplies,” von der Leyen stated.

Echoing this sentiment, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that the suspension would be “a serious setback for Ukraine, for Europe, and for NATO.” She urged EU nations to significantly boost funding for arms production in Ukraine and accelerate the militarisation process within the EU framework.

On July 1, media outlets CBS and NBC News reported that Pentagon Chief Pete Hagseth ordered a suspension of supplies of certain ammunition to Ukraine, including dozens of Patriot missile system projectiles. The Pentagon cited depletion of US military stockpiles as the reason for the halt. According to Bloomberg, European officials were caught off guard by Washington’s move.

CBS sources revealed that the suspension affects arms supplies not only to Ukraine but also to other US partners. The Pentagon is conducting a broad review of weapon shipments worldwide to ensure that previous administration policies align with current American interests.

In response, Politico, citing six sources, reported Kyiv’s intention to request Washington’s permission for Europe to purchase US-made weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Several European countries are already considering such plans, which would count toward NATO’s recently approved defence spending commitments. However, no final decisions have been made.

NBC News detailed that the suspension includes dozens of Patriot missiles, thousands of 155mm artillery shells, over 100 Hellfire missiles, and other armaments. The order reportedly came after some of these weapons had already reached Europe and were ready for transfer to Ukraine.

Nonetheless, at a July 3 briefing in Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce clarified that the US has not suspended all military aid to Ukraine. She specified that only certain missile types are affected by the restrictions.

“We have not stopped sending weapons to Ukraine,” Bruce stated, adding that the Department of Defence has many “reliable options” for continuing support.

Contrasting this, Ukrainian officials told The Economist that all US aid, including ammunition and spare parts, has been suspended.

By Tamilla Hasanova