The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board on Wednesday issued a stern rebuke of the way President Donald Trump is handling Russia's war in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration halted a shipment of defense missiles destined for Ukraine over concerns that U.S. munition stockpiles have gotten too low. That decision is "a hostile act that favors Vladimir Putin," the editorial board wrote in a recent op-ed.
"The latest arms decision against Ukraine looks like another signal to Mr. Putin to continue the war. And why not? He can keep banking territorial gains while Mr. Trump keeps begging the dictator, pretty please, for a truce," the editorial board wrote.
The war in Ukraine has become a symbol of Trump's deal-making prowess during his second term. As a candidate, Trump said he would end the war within 24 hours of taking office. His tune changed sharply during his first couple of months as he accused Putin of "tapping" him along to prolong the war.
The editorial board also raised questions about the necessity of withholding weapons from Ukraine.
"With Iran weakened militarily, there isn’t a more urgent need for more Patriots anywhere else in the world than in Ukraine," the editorial board wrote. "And if the cupboard is truly so depleted that America can’t support a friend in a hot war with a U.S. adversary, then that is a bigger national emergency."
The decision could also have devastating consequences for Ukraine, the editorial board noted.
"The weapons denial comes at a precarious moment for Ukraine. The world’s attention is elsewhere, but Russia is still pummeling Ukraine with cruise missiles, drones and decoys to exhaust Kyiv’s defenses. One of the largest volleys of the war came this week. Russia is also massing troops at different places along the military line, probing for openings to stage a breakthrough or slowly take more ground," the editorial board wrote.