Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jul 4: In a pointed criticism of the Biden administration’s Ukraine policy, U.S. President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor of draining America's own defense reserves by sending excessive military aid to Kyiv, even as the embattled country reels under fresh Russian attacks.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One for Iowa on Thursday, Trump remarked, “Biden emptied out our whole country giving them weapons. We have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.” His comments come as the United States has reportedly paused certain arms deliveries to Ukraine, including air defense systems and guided munitions, even as Russia intensifies its offensive with a deadly barrage on Kyiv overnight.
While voicing concern over the volume of American weapons dispatched overseas, Trump maintained that the United States has not completely cut off assistance to Ukraine. “We’ve given so many weapons. We are working with them and trying to help them,” he said.
In a development that grabbed global attention, Trump also revealed that he held a “pretty long call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day. However, the conversation yielded little movement toward ending the war. “It didn’t make any progress,” he admitted, expressing his disappointment.
From Moscow, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the call as “frank and constructive,” noting it was the sixth such conversation between the two leaders since Trump returned to office. Ushakov said Putin reiterated Russia’s position on resolving the Ukraine conflict and reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness for dialogue with Kyiv, though he remained firm that Russia would not retreat from its strategic objectives.
Notably, the issue of the U.S. halting some weapons shipments to Ukraine was not raised in the call, according to Russian officials. Instead, the two leaders reportedly discussed wider geopolitical developments, including the situation in Iran, Syria, and even bilateral cooperation in energy and space sectors. In a surprising twist, Putin even suggested cultural exchanges in the form of films that promote “traditional values shared by Russia and the Trump administration.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Denmark holding talks with European Union leaders, said he hopes to speak with Trump soon regarding the aid suspension. “I hope that maybe tomorrow, or in the coming days, I will speak about it with President Trump,” he said.
As both sides brace for what may be a prolonged military and diplomatic standoff, the renewed dialogue between Washington and Moscow signals a complicated balancing act between pressure, pragmatism, and the pursuit of peace in one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints.