Description: US President Donald Trump backed his pledges to resume arms supplies for Ukraine’s defense forces after an abrupt cessation caused by the Pentagon last week. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine received the latest package of supplies without detailing the contents of the shipments. The US would sell the weapons to NATO which in turn would supply Ukraine directly with the much-needed military hardware. Patriot defense missiles and mid-range offensive missiles were the alleged planned supplies to counter the constant Russian drone attacks. US State Secretary, Marco Rubio while attending the ASEAN Summit of foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, met with Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov as both sides reported to have had a productive conversation on conceptualizing a potential pathway for negotiations going forward. Russia in the meantime has intensified its attacks launching over 700 drones and 20 ballistic missiles killing more than 200 people and injuring additional 1,300.
Impact: The resumption of military supplies by the US to Ukraine indicates that despite consistent diplomatic initiatives from the US no significant breakthroughs have been reached. Russia has been adamant in their position regarding the war and has constantly escalated aerial attacks on several Ukrainian cities inflicting mass civilian casualties and infrastructural damages. The weakened Ukrainian defenses would gain significant leverage in countering the persistent Russian attacks which in turn would enable ground forces to conduct defensive operations in key strategic points across the border frontlines. The arms supplies pending the results on the frontlines could prompt Russia towards diplomatic rapprochement in the mid to long – term as the war moves towards characterization of a frozen conflict where neither side can significantly overwhelm the other.