Trump Resumes Ukraine Arms, Moscow Monitors Tensions
Kremlin Eyes Western Arms Flow Amidst US Election Season Diplomacy
The Kremlin is intently watching Western military aid to Ukraine, a statement from Moscow’s spokesperson comes shortly after United States President Donald Trump announced the recommencement of weapon shipments to Kyiv. Dmitry Peskov also indicated that no new phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled but could be quickly arranged.
Trump’s Shifting Stance on Ukraine
Recent comments from the Kremlin follow President **Trump**’s escalating impatience with Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Just days ago, **Trump** delivered his sternest warning to Moscow yet, setting a 50-day deadline for **Putin** to agree to a peace accord. Failure to comply, **Trump** declared, would result in substantial U.S. sanctions, including secondary tariffs aimed at isolating Russia economically by targeting its trading partners.
“My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night.”
—Donald Trump
Escalating Strikes and Defensive Needs
This development comes as Russian forces launched a significant overnight aerial assault, deploying 400 drones and a ballistic missile. Ukrainian authorities reported that these strikes targeted cities including Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Vinnytsia, injuring at least 15 people and damaging crucial energy infrastructure. In Kryvyi Rih and other parts of the Dnipropetrovsk region, approximately 80,000 families experienced power outages, according to Ukraine’s private energy company DTEK. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed it intercepted the majority of the drones but acknowledged that 57 drones and the missile impacted 12 targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for enhanced defensive capabilities, stating on X, “Russia does not change its strategy, and to effectively counter this terror, we need a systemic strengthening of defences: more air defences, more interceptor [missiles], more determination to make Russia feel our response.”
Controversy Over Targeting Moscow
Adding a layer of complexity, President **Trump** has reportedly expressed reservations about Ukraine targeting Moscow, even as he pledged increased arms shipments. He allegedly inquired of Ukrainian President **Volodymyr Zelenskyy** whether Kyiv would refrain from striking the Russian capital if provided with long-range weaponry. This comes after reports suggested **Trump** encouraged **Zelenskyy** to escalate strikes into Russian territory during a July 4th phone call, even asking if Moscow and St. Petersburg were potential targets if long-range weapons were supplied.
Economic Pressure and Territorial Concerns
Experts suggest Russia’s strategy remains to “keep calm and carry on” despite **Trump**’s threats, with no guarantee of a swift resolution to the war. While campaigning for the upcoming presidential election, **Trump** had previously boasted about ending the Ukraine war within his first 24 hours in office. Despite numerous high-level discussions, a ceasefire has yet to materialize.
Moscow closely monitoring West’s supply of weapons to Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson says shortly after US President Donald Trump announced resumption of arms deliveries to Kyiv.
— Al Jazeera English (@ajenglish) July 17, 2025
Some U.S. politicians continue to voice concerns regarding Trump‘s approach, warning that the 50-day deadline could be exploited by Putin to seize more Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its forces captured the settlement of Novokhatske in the Donetsk region.
In terms of international support, the United States has been a primary supplier of military aid. As of May 2024, the U.S. had committed over $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, including substantial military assistance, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (Kiel Institute Ukraine Support Tracker, May 2024).
“My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night.”
—Donald Trump, President of the United States
