"Trump surprised by halt in US weapons aid to Ukraine"

Donald Trump was reportedly surprised by the sudden decision to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, a move he later reversed. According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump was described as being taken aback by the announcement. A Pentagon representative stated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not act without consulting the president. However, when asked on Tuesday who had authorized the pause, Trump responded dismissively during a Cabinet meeting, saying, “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

During the same meeting, Trump expressed frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and pledged to provide Ukraine with 10 Patriot missiles, which are reportedly in high demand. He criticized Putin’s behavior, stating, “We get a lot of nonsense from Putin, to be honest. He’s always friendly, but it means nothing.”

When questioned about potential additional sanctions against Russia, Trump replied, “I’m looking at it.” The day before, he had expressed disappointment with Russia’s president and announced plans to increase military support for Ukraine, countering the Pentagon’s earlier decision.

Russian officials accused Ukrainian forces of a drone strike on a beach in the city of Kursk, which reportedly killed three people, including a Russian soldier, and injured seven others. Acting regional governor Alexander Khinshtein claimed the soldier was assisting in evacuations when the attack occurred. He also alleged that a drone hit a hospital in the town of Rylsk, causing injuries and damage. No independent source confirmed these claims. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly denied targeting civilians, with their strikes inside Russia primarily directed at military sites, key personnel, and infrastructure.

In a separate development, Russia’s lower parliament approved a bill allowing the Federal Security Service (FSB) to establish its own detention facilities, a power previously removed following the Soviet era. Officials cited increased foreign intelligence activity since the start of the war as justification for the change.

Meanwhile, a group of individuals were found guilty of carrying out an arson attack on a London warehouse that provided aid and communication equipment to Ukraine, as ordered by the banned Wagner group. They also planned additional attacks in London’s Mayfair district and attempted to abduct a Russian dissident, but were unsuccessful. The judge announced that sentencing would take place at a later date.