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Rutte: Ukraine "Cannot Do Without" Western Aid as US Freezes Shipments
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![Maryna_kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
-924c3c302c27387e19f6c44aaeb98745.png "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on July 2 in an interview to Fox News that while he understands Washington’s need to prioritize its own defense requirements, Ukraine urgently needs continued support from Western allies.
"I totally understand that the US always has to make sure its interests are covered," Rutte said. "When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get."
"I understand the US has to take care of its stockpiles, and at the same time, we have to allow for some flexibility here," Rutte told Fox News. "Europeans, in the meantime, are really stepping up."
His comments follow a decision by the US Defense Department to pause deliveries of several key weapons systems previously pledged to Kyiv, including Patriot missiles, precision-guided artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, and munitions compatible with F-16 fighter jets.
The White House confirmed the suspension, citing an ongoing review of US military stockpiles. No new military aid packages have been approved since US President Donald Trump took office in January.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said it had not received formal notice of any cancellations or delays and has requested urgent consultations with US defense officials.
The Kremlin welcomed the pause, claiming it would hasten an end to the war.
"The fewer weapons that are supplied to Ukraine, the closer the end of the (war)," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Earlier, it was reported that US President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions against Syria, a move that also removed several Russian banks, companies, and individuals from US sanctions lists.
