The White House has confirmed that the United States will be halting some of its weapons shipments to Ukraine in the midst of its ongoing conflict with Russia.
A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, cited a review of the nation’s military support and assistance to other countries around the world as the reason behind the decision.
The move is said to prioritize America’s interests and ensure the country’s military stockpiles do not fall too low.
The Reason Behind the Halt
According to a U.S. official, the move was prompted by concerns over the country’s military stockpiles dwindling.
The Trump administration has not disclosed which specific weapons are being pulled from delivery or the scale of the pullback.
Kelly was quick to emphasize that the strength of the U.S. Armed Forces remains “unquestioned,” referencing the recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
A Broader Review of Weapons Shipments
The pause in shipments to Ukraine is part of a larger review of weapons shipments to all countries that receive aid from the U.S.
The Pentagon, under the direction of President Trump, has been conducting this review to ensure the department is prioritizing America’s needs.
Although the Ukraine pause has garnered the most attention, other countries have also been “reclassified,” meaning they have been deprioritized for receiving weapons and munitions from the U.S.
The White House has not disclosed the names of these countries or how long the pause in some weapons shipments to Ukraine may last.
A Brief History of U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine
The U.S. has provided Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in military aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
In early March, following a confrontational meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the White House announced it was pausing military aid to Ukraine that had already been earmarked by the Biden administration.
The pause was lifted about a week later when Ukraine responded positively to talks over a potential ceasefire.
In late April, the U.S. and Ukraine reached a deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral reserves in exchange for military assistance to a joint U.S.-Ukraine fund.
According to military think tank experts, about 20% of Ukraine’s military hardware is supplied by the U.S., with 25% provided by Europe and the rest of the world, and 55% produced in Ukraine.