'Disgraceful’: Critics blast Trump for latest move 'doing Putin’s bidding’

The Trump administration moved on Tuesday to cancel planned shipments of weapons to Ukraine, setting off a wave of fury among national security commentators on social media.

"BREAKING: White House confirms it has halted weapons that Ukraine was scheduled to receive, including PAC3 Patriots, 155mm artillery rounds, GMLRS, Stinger, AIM-7, and Hellfire missiles," reported PBS Newshour's Nick Schifrin, who added that White House deputy press secretary Anny Kelly explained the move by saying, “This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a DOD review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe. The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran.”

Many commenters accused the White House of doing the bidding of Russia's Vladimir Putin, who has engaged in a yearslong invasion to try to bend Ukraine to his will; others attacked Elbridge Colby, the defense policy undersecretary who had a hand in the decision.

"The Trump administration is even stopping delivery of Patriots?" wrote former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. "So disgusting and embarrassing as the 'leader of the free world.' I guess we are done with that."

"Putin First," wrote Daily Beast columnist Julia Davis.

"Disgraceful. Doing Putin's bidding yet again," wrote political scientist and The Atlantic editor Norman Ornstein.

"Trump works for Putin," wrote former Tea Party congressman turned Democrat Joe Walsh.

"So Trump gives Putin two weeks for ceasefire progress, Putin instead massively escalates, and our response is to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine. Incredible," wrote American Enterprise Institute media strategist Kareem Rifai.

"Elbridge Colby’s influence, put quite simply, will now mean that Russia will be able to kill more Ukrainian civilians than they would have otherwise been able to kill if Ukraine had this ammunition," wrote Ukraine correspondent Oz Katerji.