Pentagon halts weapons shipments to Ukraine amid stockpile concerns
By bellecarter // 2025-07-03
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  • The Department of Defense has halted shipments of critical U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine, citing concerns over dwindling U.S. munitions stockpiles.
  • This decision affects a wide range of weapons, including Patriot missiles, Stinger and AIM missiles, Hellfire and GMLRS systems, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells.
  • The decision follows a Pentagon review initiated in early June, revealing that critical weapons systems were depleting at an "alarming rate." Policy chief Elbridge Colby emphasized the need to prioritize U.S. defense readiness, reflecting a broader realignment under the Trump administration.
  • The timing of the decision is particularly troubling for Ukraine, coming after Russia's largest aerial attack since the war began. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky's top adviser, have emphasized the urgent need for more air defense systems, expressing frustration over perceived dwindling support from Washington.
  • The move aligns with the Trump administration's "America First" strategy, aiming to reduce military funding for Ukraine and pursue a diplomatic settlement with Moscow.
The Department of Defense's decision to suspend shipments of critical U.S.-made weapons to Ukraine has raised alarms both domestically and internationally. This move, driven by concerns over dwindling U.S. munitions stockpiles, comes at a critical juncture in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and could have significant implications for Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. The suspension, ordered by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, affects a wide range of weapons, including Patriot missile interceptors, Stinger and AIM air-to-air missiles, Hellfire and GMLRS systems, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells. These weapons were previously pledged to Ukraine under the Biden administration through mechanisms like the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and direct drawdowns from U.S. military stockpiles. In early June, the Pentagon initiated a review of its munitions stockpiles, prompted by concerns over the depletion of critical weapons systems. This review followed years of supplying Ukraine with arms to counter Russian aggression and nearly two years of military operations in the Middle East, including fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen and defending Israel and allies against Iran. The decision to halt shipments was driven by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, who expressed concerns that the U.S. was using munitions at an "alarming rate." According to three people familiar with the issue, the review revealed that the total number of artillery rounds, air defense missiles and precision munitions was sinking to concerning levels. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly defended the decision, stating, "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." She emphasized the strength of the United States Armed Forces, suggesting that the move was necessary to maintain U.S. defense readiness. However, the decision has sparked anxiety among Ukraine's allies in Congress. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, expressed concern that the halt in shipments could leave Ukraine vulnerable to Russian airstrikes. "If this reporting is true, then Mr. Colby is taking action that will surely result in the imminent death of many Ukrainian military and civilians," she said.

Ukraine's response and needs

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly voiced frustration over what they perceive as dwindling support from Washington. During a visit to Washington on June 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's top adviser, Andriy Yermak, emphasized the need for more air defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks. The timing of the Pentagon's decision is particularly troubling for Ukraine, as it comes after Russia launched its largest aerial attack on the country since the start of the three-year war, firing 60 missiles and 477 drones. Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported that 249 of these were shot down, but the attack underscored the country's urgent need for robust air defenses. (Related: Zelensky seeks additional $175 billion military aid for Ukraine at Dutch Defense Forum amid rising tensions.) The Pentagon's decision reflects a broader realignment under the Trump administration, which has publicly questioned the rationale behind endless aid to Ukraine. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev noted that the move "highlights the real limits of Western capacity and the shifting priorities of the U.S. military." Hegseth has indicated that the White House is reducing military funding for Ukraine as part of its "America First" strategy, aiming to achieve a diplomatic settlement with Moscow. This approach aligns with Trump's stated intention to negotiate a ceasefire and bring the conflict to an end. Watch the video below that talks about Zelensky's plea for military support being sidelined by NATO during the 2025 The Hague summit. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia prepared to strike Germany if Ukraine uses German-supplied Taurus missiles against Russian targets. Tucker Carlson: U.S. military weapons sent to Ukraine end up in the hands of CARTELS. Putin warns of potential nuclear escalation amid Ukraine conflict, accuses West of provocation.

Sources include:

RT.com NBCNews.com Politico.com Brighteon.com
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