Raphael Kanu
As Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks and critical delays in military aid, U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his administration’s approach, claiming, “I am helping Ukraine. I’m helping it a lot.”
Trump made the comment on July 6 in Morristown, New Jersey, amid growing criticism in Kyiv over the Pentagon’s pause in delivering key weapon systems—including Patriot air defense missiles and precision-guided munitions. Ukrainian officials say the delay has left the country increasingly exposed to Russian missile and drone strikes, which have recently killed and injured hundreds of civilians.
Although Trump has consistently stated his desire to end the war and support Ukraine, his administration has not approved any new weapons packages or imposed fresh sanctions on Russia since he took office in January 2025. Instead, Washington’s military focus appears to have shifted toward the Middle East, where on June 21, the U.S. launched airstrikes on three nuclear-related sites in Iran—a move many observers say contrasts sharply with its restrained approach to Moscow.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on July 5, Trump offered rare insight into his personal frustrations with Russian President Vladimir Putin following a July 3 phone call.
“It just seems like he wants to go all the way and just keep killing people,” Trump said of Putin.
Trump also held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 4, which he described as a “very strategic” conversation. The two leaders reportedly discussed Ukraine’s urgent need for air defense. “They’re going to need something because they’re being hit pretty hard,” Trump acknowledged, adding that supplying Patriot systems “was a possibility.”
Despite these statements, no new authorizations for military assistance have been announced. The White House has also avoided introducing additional economic sanctions on Russia, prompting concerns over the administration’s long-term strategic posture.
Efforts to end the conflict through diplomacy remain stagnant. Two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul in May and June yielded only limited progress, resulting in prisoner swaps without any substantial agreement on a ceasefire.
Moscow continues to maintain maximalist conditions for peace, rejecting demands for an unconditional halt to hostilities.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military intelligence service reported a series of explosions at Russian pipelines in the Far East, disrupting fuel supply lines believed to support the Russian military. Ukrainian drone strikes have also reportedly targeted elements of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, marking a continued effort to push back against Russian military infrastructure.
While Trump’s public statements suggest concern over Ukraine’s security, critics argue that there is a growing disconnect between his rhetoric and U.S. policy. The lack of direct action—either through military aid or economic pressure—has led to uncertainty over how far the Trump administration is willing to go in backing Ukraine.
Analysts say the shift from the more proactive stance of the previous administration has complicated Ukraine’s efforts to secure support and deter further Russian aggression.
As the war drags on, Ukraine’s needs continue to grow more urgent. With no clear signals from Washington on when aid deliveries might resume, Kyiv is left facing an increasingly difficult battle with limited international backing.
For now, Trump’s stance remains cautious and measured—but with Ukrainian cities under threat and international pressure mounting, questions linger about how long the U.S. can afford to wait.