Poland seizes on Embassy damage to urge U.S. for renewed arms support to Ukraine

Russia launched on the night of 3-4 July a barrage of 11 missiles and 539 drones on Ukraine, damaging among other infrastructure the consular section of Poland’s embassy in Kyiv.

This attack prompted Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to make an urgent call to Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump, pressing for the resumption of U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine, which had been unexpectedly paused.

The United States announced on 2 July a temporary suspension of certain ammunition supplies to Ukraine, initially agreed upon during the Joe Biden administration. This decision stems from diminished stockpiles in U.S. weapons depots. The White House stated that the Pentagon is currently reviewing its inventory following military aid provided to multiple countries.

In early March the U.S. had briefly paused military assistance to Ukraine after President Donald Trump claimed that Kyiv was reluctant to pursue peace. Deliveries resumed after Ukraine signed an agreement for the joint management of natural resources, including rare earth elements.

According to The Telegraph, Sikorski’s stark warning to Kellogg -“Putin is mocking your peace efforts”, highlighted the urgency of restoring anti-aircraft ammunition deliveries.

The strike on Poland’s embassy, a NATO ally, resonated deeply with Kellogg, a retired three-star general, who recognised the potential for such incidents to escalate conflicts uncontrollably.

Following the call, Kellogg immediately contacted President Trump. He emphasised the strike on Poland’s diplomatic facility, prompting Trump to authorize the resumption of Patriot surface-to-air missile system deliveries to Ukraine.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the timing: the Russian assault came just hours after a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Putin rejected a proposed ceasefire.

Trump, already frustrated by Putin’s refusal to halt attacks on Ukrainian cities, acted swiftly. Kellogg then relayed the President’s directive to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who had independently halted the aid. Initially skeptical, Hegseth confirmed the order directly with Trump.

Within four days of the conversation with Sikorski, the Pentagon resumed deliveries of PAC-3 missiles to Ukrainian Patriot systems.Forty missiles, previously ordered under President Joe Biden’s administration and stored in Poland, were expedited, with ten urgently transferred to Ukraine.

On July 13 Trump, after discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, announced a $10 billion weapons sale to Ukraine and threatened new sanctions against Russia and buyers of its oil. This marked a significant shift in Trump’s stance on Ukraine, with Sikorski’s intervention cited as a pivotal moment in the conflict.

Trump’s disillusionment with Putin prompts dramatic U-turn on Ukraine

Strengthening Ukraine’s air defences

Trump’s 13 July announcement included plans to transfer Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, funded by NATO allies.

Initially, Trump mentioned 17 systems, later clarified as 17 launchers. Contributions came from multiple allies:

Germany pledged two Patriot systems, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stressing the need for prompt replacements to maintain NATO’s defence capabilities. Chancellor Merz supported this commitment, though German officials noted that these systems would not arrive in Ukraine before spring 2026.

The Netherlands, led by Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans, promised significant contributions to the transfer of U.S.-made systems.

Norway and Sweden expressed willingness to finance additional systems, though no final decisions were confirmed.

Media reports indicate Ukraine received one new Patriot system in late July, following discussions with German officials.

NATO allies, under a deal brokered with Rutte, agreed to purchase U.S.-made Patriot systems for Ukraine, with Germany funding two and others potentially covering three more.

However, concerns persist about depleting European stockpiles, as Washington expects allies to send their systems to Ukraine first and await U.S. replacements.

Pistorius emphasized to Der Spiegel that NATO’s security requirements must remain intact, highlighting the delicate balance of supporting Ukraine while maintaining alliance readiness.

A turning point in the conflict

Sikorski’s decisive intervention, spurred by the attack on Poland’s embassy, set off a chain reaction that reshaped U.S. and NATO support for Ukraine.

The resumption of arms deliveries and Trump’s shift toward robust military and economic measures against Russia signal a critical juncture in the ongoing war.

As NATO allies navigate the logistics of Patriot system transfers, the collective response underscores a renewed commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression.

Caption: Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosław Sikorski (C) arrives at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 20 May 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS