US defense secretary personally halted weapons to Ukraine
Reports of a halt in US military aid to Ukraine emerged earlier this week. US news outlets claimed that the items affected included Patriot missile systems, artillery shells, GMLRS rockets, and other munitions. Washington's envoy to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, has since confirmed the move, attributing it to concerns that continued military assistance to Kiev could deplete key munitions needed for US forces.
However, NBC reported on Friday, citing three unnamed sources, that a review by senior military officers had found that American stockpiles are not yet beyond critical minimums. The outlet claimed that Hegseth nevertheless halted the shipments in a 'unilateral step,' marking the third time he has done so since taking office. The previous suspensions were reversed following pushback from Congress.
NBC further suggested that none of the suspensions were coordinated in advance with lawmakers or the administration. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, told the outlet that the justification based on readiness concerns was 'disingenuous,' suggesting that the decision reflected a broader agenda within the White House to end US aid to Ukraine.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has described the halt as part of a 'capability review,' stating on Wednesday that the US cannot 'give weapons to everybody all around the world.'
The White House has defended the pause, citing an ongoing Defense Department review. At the same time, US President Donald Trump also told reporters on Thursday that the US is still 'giving weapons' to Ukraine, but must also ensure its own military needs are met.
Military experts have noted in statements to the German tabloid Bild that if weapon shipments to Ukraine stop, Kiev could run out of key ammunition stocks by late summer. The halt could leave the Ukrainian military struggling to intercept Russian strike drones and make Kiev's US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers 'virtually useless.'
Moscow has welcomed the suspension of military aid to Kiev. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has suggested that the freeze could speed up the end of the conflict. 'The fewer missiles that arrive in Ukraine from abroad, the closer the special military operation is to ending,' Peskov said.
Russia has long condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing they only prolong the conflict without changing its outcome and increase the risk of escalation.
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