The United States is halting some shipments of air defense missiles and other munitions to Ukraine over concerns that its own stockpiles of such materials have dwindled too much, officials said Tuesday (U.S. time), the Associated Press reported.
The munitions were promised to Ukraine during President Joe Biden's administration. The halt in deliveries reflects President Donald Trump's new priorities, the AP said.
"This decision was made to put America's interests first after the Department of Defense reviewed our country's military support and assistance to other countries around the world," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement. "The strength of the United States military remains undeniable - just ask Iran," the spokeswoman said.
The Pentagon's review found that stocks of some previously promised items were too low, so expected deliveries will not be sent, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information.
So far, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $66 billion in weapons and military aid. dollars since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said last night that it had been informed of a drone attack last week near the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
According to the IAEA, six drones were involved in the attack, damaging several vehicles near the cooling lake.
The UN agency said no injuries were reported.
During his visit to the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful called on Ukraine's allies to supply the country with additional air defense systems, DPA reported.
"Here it becomes clear once again that the decisive threat is from the air," said Germany's top diplomat after surprise visit to the Black Sea port city of Odessa. "This means we have to continue to think about what air defense systems we can provide", he said.
Vadeful traveled to the city by car from Kiev, accompanied by a small delegation for security reasons, as the port is a key target for missile and drone attacks by Russia. He was joined by his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sibiga.
Because of the threat of targeted Russian attacks, the visit was kept secret until Vadeful left for neighboring Moldova later in the day, DPA noted.
The German foreign minister said he would urge Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to lobby allies to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems to repel Russian attacks. Vaddeful wants to submit a new request to the German cabinet tomorrow.
His visit to Odessa came a day after he made his first visit to the Ukrainian capital since taking office in May, promising intensive defense cooperation between Germany and Ukraine.
Germany is one of Ukraine's main supporters in the country's ongoing defense against the Russian invasion, DPA reminds.
With around 1 million inhabitants, Odessa is the third largest city in Ukraine after Kiev and Kharkiv. Oil refineries, chemical and metalworking industries, and the port's importance as a transport hub make it a key target for Russian ballistic missiles from the occupied Crimean peninsula, DPA reported.
On Saturday, two people were killed when a drone struck a high-rise building in the city and 14 others were injured.
Vadeful visited the port of Odessa, which is important for grain exports, and also laid flowers in memory of those killed in the armed conflict with Russia at a joint ceremony with Sibiga and regional governor Oleg Kiper.
On Tuesday evening, Vadeful met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
Earlier, he visited the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Chisinau - the main cathedral of the Moldovan Orthodox Church, and met with representatives of religious communities.
In Moldova, divided between pro-European and pro-Russian forces, the Church is considered the most trusted institution, DPA notes.
Moldova is almost entirely dependent on Russian gas. With a population of about 2.5 million people, it is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Like Ukraine, Moldova is a candidate for EU membership from 2022.