Camilla Jessen
Russia says it needs time to assess new U.S. arms aid as Trump pledges more support to Kyiv.
The Kremlin responded on Tuesday to President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will supply additional weapons to Ukraine, stating it will take time to fully understand what kind of military aid is actually being delivered.
Trump made the announcement on Monday, saying Washington would send mostly defensive weapons to help Ukraine counter intensifying Russian attacks.
“There have been many contradictory statements regarding U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Reuters, as cited by Agerpres.
“It is clear that the deliveries continue. Obviously, the Europeans are actively involved in supplying weapons to Ukraine.”
Peskov emphasized that Russia is closely monitoring the situation but said it was too early to specify the scope and nature of the American aid.
“As for what kind of supplies and in what quantity Ukraine continues to receive from the United States, it will take time to clarify this definitively,” he noted.
Moscow Still Open to Talks
While criticizing Western arms shipments, Peskov reiterated that Russia values Trump’s stated intention to facilitate direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
He also suggested there remains untapped potential for restoring U.S.-Russia trade and economic cooperation—if sanctions are lifted.
“At the moment, the United States is implementing a number of restrictions. We believe these sanctions are illegal and harmful not only to our businesses, but also to American entrepreneurs,” he added.
Russia currently occupies nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the annexed Crimea peninsula and the entire Luhansk region.
Russian forces continue to press forward on several parts of the front line.
Kremlin Reacts to Minister’s Sudden Death
On a separate note, Peskov expressed the Kremlin’s shock over the reported suicide of Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, whose death was announced shortly after his dismissal on Monday.
“This cannot but shock ordinary people. Of course, it shocked us too,” Peskov said, as quoted by TASS.
He added that a full investigation is underway: “It is this investigation that should answer all the questions,” Peskov told RIA Novosti.
The circumstances of Starovoit’s death remain unclear.
