Trump accuses Russia of killing spree, hints at renewed Ukraine aid

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians and declared that Moscow “simply wants to kill.” His statement came on July 4, just hours after a massive missile strike on Ukraine that destroyed residential buildings and struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv.

“They’re not trying to conquer anything. They just want to kill. That’s all,” Trump told reporters at Andrews Air Force Base, responding to the attack’s aftermath.

The comment came amid ongoing debates over U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Earlier, Trump’s administration had paused shipments of key weapons systems — including Patriot interceptors, HIMARS rockets, and artillery munitions — citing depleted American stockpiles.

Facing renewed escalation, Trump signaled that the decision could be reassessed:

“We haven’t canceled anything. We’re continuing to help. But we have to be very cautious — we’re running low on what we ourselves need. That shouldn’t have happened,” he said, blaming the Biden administration for the shortages.

Earlier the same day, Trump held a 40-minute phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Zelenskyy, the discussion was “productive” and focused primarily on Ukraine’s urgent need for air defense systems.

As Washington weighs its next steps, Germany has begun talks with U.S. officials about purchasing Patriot systems for direct transfer to Ukraine. According to Reuters, limited direct U.S. deliveries are also being considered.

While Trump continues to adopt a more restrained tone compared to previous administrations, his sharp condemnation of Russian aggression and signals of potential resumed support suggest a possible shift in U.S. military policy. Ukrainian officials remain cautiously optimistic that critical aid may soon be restored.