The US has halted some weapons shipments to Kyiv, the White House has said, as Russia's war against Ukraine has intensified. The decision was taken "to put America's interests first" and followed a Department of Defense review of US "military support and assistance to other countries", White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said on Tuesday.

The White House cited Pentagon concerns that some American arms stockpiles were dwindling too low. Among the affected weapons were air defense systems, bombs, missiles and artillery rounds.

The move "was made to put America’s interests first," a White House spokeswoman said, as U.S. munitions have been depleted in recent years.

President Donald Trump said he has his eyes on the 50,000 Russian troops deployed to the border near Sumy in Ukraine, where there are fears Moscow is ready to launch a new summer offensive in a war the American leader is trying to end.

Holding the Russians off has become a game of whack-a-mole for outnumbered Ukrainian troops, with Russia frequently opening new lines of attack.