US govt shutdown is helping Putin win Ukraine war - here's how| Russia | NATO| Europe| Trump| Senate

The historic U.S. government shutdown has paralyzed weapons deliveries worth over $5 billion to NATO allies and Ukraine, leaving Zelensky and frontline defenders critically short as Russia encircles Pokrovsk with 170,000 troops. Congressional gridlock has delayed transfers of advanced arms like HIMARS, AMRAAM missiles, and Aegis systems, stalling not only urgent support for Kyiv but also arms resupplies for key European partners. The crisis, caused by a bitter standoff over health subsidies and government funding, has led to thousands of State Department staff furloughs, further jamming the pipeline of export licenses and congressional notifications.