Trump escalates criticism of Putin, rearms Ukraine, as Russia's war plows on

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WASHINGTON − PresidentDonald Trump's patience withVladimir Putinis fraying as Moscow intensifies attacks on Ukraine and the Russian leader ignores Trump's demands to settle thethree-year war. Using his most forceful language yet, Trump accused Putin of throwing "bulls**t" his way and said he'd be looking "very strongly" at sanctions legislation he once criticized as harsh − less than a day after overturning a Pentagon decision to withhold some weapons shipments to Ukraine. "He's not treating human beings right. He's killingtoo many people," Trump said of the Russian president. "So we're sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine." Trump did not approve the weapons pause, two sources with knowledge of the situation said. And the president told reporters during a Cabinet meeting, where he unleashed on Putin, that he did not know who did. Trump's decision to resume supplying Ukraine against anonslaught of Russian drone and missile attacksreverses a Pentagon decision made last week amid concerns of dwindling stocks of critically important weapons. Last week, Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said the pause in shipments to Ukraine and other countries was being done to assure military aid "aligns with our defense priorities." But after Trump announced arms shipments to Ukraine would resume, Parnell issued a statement that said that while framework of the review remains in effect, at Trump's direction, the Pentagon "is sending additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure the killing stops." The Defense Department has not informed Congress that key weapons like Patriot interceptors are in critically short supply, a U.S. official briefed on the situation said. At a State Department press briefing, spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the U.S. has been and remainssupportive of Ukraine. "The president feels obviously very passionate and determined regarding the ability of Ukraine to defend itself," she said. Trump's criticisms of Putinhave escalatedas he nears the six-month mark in his term, in spite of the Russian leader's attempts to entice him with economic partnerships and even an exchange of movies "promoting traditional values," a Kremlinreadout of their most recentconversation shows. He said in late May that Putin was"playing with fire"and hadgone "absolutely crazy,"as he speculated that Russia wants to lay claim to all of Ukraine. The following month he said the war had been "more difficult" to resolve than other conflicts while calling Putin"misguided." In a July 3 call, Putin informed Trump that he was willing to participate in negotiations butwould not back downfrom his goals. Trump told reporters several days later, after a separate call with Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy, that he was disappointed with the outcome. 'We have to':Trump sending weapons to Ukraine after expressing disappointment with Putin At his Cabinet meeting on July 8 Trump used the most colorful language yet to describe his frustrations with Russian leader. "We get a lot of bulls**t thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth," Trump said. "He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless." That night Zelenskyy said Ukraine mainly expected to receiveair defense supplies. He added that he had instructed his defense team "to intensify all contacts" with their American counterparts. "We now have the necessary political statements and decisions, and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect our people and our positions," Zelenskyy announced on July 8. Ukraine needs defense missiles most urgently, especially those fired by the Pentagon's Patriot system. They can intercept Russian missiles that have targeted the capital of Kyiv. Patriot interceptors and other weapons awaiting shipment to Ukraine had been held up in Poland last week when the Pentagon announced a worldwide review of its arsenals. The Pentagon appears to have sufficient supplies of the interceptors and other air-defense weapons to continue supplying Ukraine, a U.S. official briefed on the issue but not authorized to speak publicly said. It can begin immediate shipments of weapons in greater supply, such as artillery shells, anti-tank and shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, the official said. The Army, which produces the most munitions of the military's branches, said munitions stockpiles are at an acceptable level, but acknowledged that "ramping up" production of ammunition and Patriot interceptors is "difficult." Increasing production of Patriots, which are especially vital to Ukraine's defense effort, "presents challenges," Steve Warren, an Army spokesperson, told reporters on July 8. The Army currently produces 40,000 155mm shells of ammunition every month, but is working towards increasing that number to 100,000 by mid-2026, he said. Warren said the question of how much munitions the U.S. should have at any given time is "unanswerable." "We are confident we have what we need to meet battlefield threats," he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Patience fraying, Trump hammers Putin, offers Ukraine a lifeline

 

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