The Washington Post: The halt in US arms supplies to Ukraine threatens to collapse its air defenses and pave the way for its defeat

According to Lee Hockstader, a political analyst for the Washington Post, that the United States’ decision to suspend the supply of certain types of weapons to Ukraine greatly increases the chances of Kyiv’s defeat on the battlefield.

In his article, Hoxstader called for a review of the common view in American political and media circles, which assumes that neither side in the conflict can achieve a decisive military victory, adding, “In other words, Ukraine may be defeated”.

He added, “The chances of this scenario coming true have increased significantly in recent days”.

Hoxstader attributed this to the Trump administration’s decision to refuse to deliver to Ukraine rare Patriot interceptor missiles for its air defense systems, as well as other strategic weapons that were already on their way to Kyiv.

He explained that failure to resume these shipments soon could lead to cracks in Ukraine’s air defense system turning into wide gaps.

Hoxstader noted that Trump’s decision has undoubtedly dealt a direct blow to Ukrainian morale.

Washington would suspend the supply of Patriot interceptor missiles, GMLRS precision-guided munitions, Hellfire missiles, Stinger portable air-defense systems, and other weapons.

President Trump announced on July 3 that the United States would continue to provide military support to Ukraine, but with priorities that take into account US defense needs.

Trump informed Volodymyr Zelensky, during a phone call, of his desire to continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts to enhance its air defense capabilities.

For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Washington’s suspension of arms supplies to Ukraine, saying that reducing or halting Western arms supplies to Ukraine would bring the conflict closer to an end.