(Washington/Kyiv/Moscow) The U.S. State Department estimates that the federal government shutdown has delayed over $5 billion (approximately S$6.5 billion) worth of arms exports intended to support NATO allies and Ukraine.
According to Axios, citing a senior State Department official, the delayed arms deliveries have severely damaged relations with allies and partners, and also hampered the U.S. defense industry's ability to deliver critical equipment overseas.
Officials revealed that deliveries to allies such as Denmark, Croatia, and Poland have been affected, including the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), Aegis combat systems, and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
The final destination of these arms exports is currently unclear, but arms sales to NATO allies are typically diverted to support Ukraine.
Officials stated that many State Department staff responsible for reporting to congressional committees and ensuring process completion have been furloughed, slowing down the process.
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Last month, the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs had only about a quarter of its normal staff, insufficient to support arms sales.
The record-breaking U.S. government shutdown entered its 40th day on Sunday (November 9), forcing a large number of civil servants to take leave and bringing many government agencies to a standstill. Republicans blamed the shutdown on Democrats.
State Department spokesman Pigott issued a statement saying, "Democrats are obstructing critical arms sales...damaging America's industrial base and jeopardizing our security and that of our partners."
Ukraine Repairs Energy Infrastructure Attacked by Russian Forces
Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing continued attacks from Russia. Ukrainian President Zelensky said that repair crews across the country were working on Sunday to repair energy infrastructure damaged by a barrage of Russian drones and missiles the previous day.
The situation is most severe in the northeastern Kharkiv and Sumy regions, and the central Poltava region. In Kharkiv alone, approximately 100,000 customers have simultaneously lost power, water, and heating.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Grynchuk said the attack, which killed four people, was "one of the hardest nights" for Ukraine's energy sector since the Russian invasion in February 2022.
During the nearly four-year war, Russia has targeted Ukraine's power and heating networks, destroying a large amount of critical civilian infrastructure.
However, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Nekrasov also said that Russia has changed its operational tactics, simultaneously attacking power generation facilities and power transmission and distribution systems, making the rapid restoration of normal power supply more complicated.
Russia is awaiting further clarification from the US regarding its comments on resuming nuclear testing.
According to TASS, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that Russia is awaiting further clarification from the US regarding President Trump's announcement on social media on October 30 that he plans to resume nuclear testing.
Regarding Trump's claim that other countries are conducting nuclear tests and that he has ordered the Pentagon to immediately initiate a reciprocal nuclear weapons test, Peskov stated that Trump's remarks give the impression that the US intends to begin nuclear testing in the near future. Russia needs clarification on this. The issue of nuclear testing is extremely serious, and related statements should not be ambiguous.
Peskov stated that Russian President Putin has not ordered the immediate commencement of preparations for a nuclear test, and that if any other country violates the nuclear testing ban, Russia will be forced to take reciprocal measures to maintain strategic balance.
