The Pentagon halted deliveries of critical US Patriot air defence systems and other precision weapons to Ukraine amid concerns that US stocks would be depleted, the White House said.
The decision was quietly made last month by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby. The halt in deliveries was made “to put America’s interests first” following a review by the Department of Defence. The news came only after Washington confirmed reports of the policy change, with White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly stating:
The strength of the United States armed forces remains unquestioned – just ask Iran.
The US decision also concerns Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, GMLRS missiles used by Himars rocket artillery, Stinger portable anti-aircraft missile systems, and 155 mm artillery shells, which were originally promised to Ukraine by the administration of former US President Joe Biden.
In response, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had summoned US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Ginkel to a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa to discuss US military aid.
After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that Ukraine did “want to have” Patriots. However, the American leader acknowledged that support for Israel in its war against Iran had deprived Washington of its readiness to help Kyiv.
Ukraine’s European allies tried to bridge some of the gaps, with British sources saying that the US decision did not affect UK supplies to Ukraine.
Lead architect of US national defence
Colby’s June decision was not mentioned in statements or briefings, only in leaks, according to which some of the ammunition had even reached a transit base in Poland. But Colby insisted on a sharp shift towards countering China as part of the concept of competition between major powers.
The order to delay the shipment of US military aid is related to the review of remaining stockpiles, which have been significantly depleted over the past few years. In large part, US stockpiles have been reduced due to the escalation in the Middle East, where the US is helping Israel in its fight against Iran and the Yemeni Houthis.
All ammunition currently being supplied to Ukraine has been approved under the Presidential Drawdown Authority and Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative packages during Biden’s presidency. Some of it comes from the Pentagon’s current stockpiles, while the rest is purchased directly from the American defence industry.
For these purposes, the previous administration received $61 billion from Congress as part of a comprehensive package, which later included Israel and Taiwan.
Unlike in 2019, American political forces are now finding it difficult to manipulate Trump, as the US is fatigued with providing free aid to Ukraine and Zelensky, experts argue. Some even see the suspension of aid to Kyiv as an attempt by the White House to revive the negotiation process to resolve the war in Ukraine.
