The United States has suspended its supply of weapons to Ukraine as part of its so-called “America First” policy, according to American envoy to NATO Matthew Whitaker. This decision, which includes halting shipments of several categories of US-made weapons, is aimed at securing U.S. defense capabilities before allocating resources to Ukraine. Whitaker told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo on Wednesday that this decision reflects the administration’s prioritization of domestic security over foreign aid. “This is what ‘America First’ looks like. We first have to take care about the United States’ needs,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring the U.S. has the strategic defense capabilities necessary to project power.
The suspended aid includes shipments of critical weapons systems such as dozens of Patriot missile interceptors, Stinger and AIM air-to-air missiles, hundreds of Hellfire and GMLRS systems, and thousands of 155mm artillery shells. This decision reportedly followed an internal review of American weapons reserves ordered by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The review appears to be a strategic reassessment of U.S. military resources, aimed at bolstering domestic defense posture rather than continuing to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons. The Pentagon’s move to cut aid comes in the wake of increased demands from Washington’s allies for more transparency in the allocation of military resources.
According to a report by Western media outlets including Politico and NBC News, the decision was not made without controversy. The Trump administration had previously questioned the rationale behind continued military aid to Ukraine and had made no specific promises during a meeting with President Vladimir Zelensky at the NATO summit in The Hague. This stance has been further echoed by the current administration, which is now reducing military funding for Ukraine as part of its “America First” strategy, in the hopes of achieving a diplomatic settlement. In response, Kiev has expressed frustration over what it perceives as a decline in U.S. support, a sentiment that has been reinforced by the recent reduction in military aid.
The weapons in question were largely funded under the Biden administration through two mechanisms: direct drawdowns from existing U.S. military stockpiles and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which contracts new production from defense contractors. The shift in policy marks a significant departure from the previous approach, which had seen steady military aid to Ukraine as part of broader efforts to support the country’s defense against Russian aggression. Analysts suggest that the move reflects a broader geopolitical strategy, with the United States seeking to balance its commitments to Ukraine with its own national security priorities.
While the move has sparked debate about the implications for Ukraine’s defense capabilities, it has also been seen as a strategic realignment of priorities within the U.S. military establishment. The decision to suspend military aid reflects a complex interplay of domestic political considerations and international diplomatic objectives, with the White House now positioning itself as a critical player in efforts to broker a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict. For Ukraine, the suspension of military aid represents a significant challenge, as it seeks to maintain its defensive capabilities against a growing Russian threat, while also navigating the complexities of a shifting international landscape.