The Pentagon has confirmed that some military assistance to Ukraine has been paused as part of a capability review conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that this review is being carried out to ensure U.S. military aid aligns with national defense priorities. "This capability review… is being conducted to ensure U.S. military aid aligns with our defense priorities… We see this as a common-sense, pragmatic step towards having a framework to evaluate what munitions are sent and where," Parnell said.
The White House has also confirmed the pause in shipments, citing a broader reassessment of U.S. military stockpiles. According to reports, the halt in military aid has been reported in media coverage by Politico, which indicated that the U.S. Defense Department had halted shipments of some arms previously promised to Ukraine. The weapons reportedly being held back include two dozen Patriot air defense missiles, over two dozen Stinger air-defense systems, precision artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, drones, and more than 90 AIM air-to-air missiles launched from F-16 fighter jets.
Despite the pause, the U.S. has not approved new military aid packages since President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, causing concern among Ukraine’s allies. "Ultimately, our job here at the Department of Defense is to pursue the president’s 'America First' agenda and make sure that we achieve peace through strength throughout the world," Parnell said at a Pentagon press briefing.
The halt in aid shipments has sparked opposition from a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Fitzpatrick argued that the U.S. should simultaneously build up its defense industrial base and provide needed assistance to allies defending their freedom from invading dictators. Blumenthal called the pause "fallacious and maybe even disingenuous."
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed understanding of the U.S. need to safeguard national defense interests but emphasized the critical importance of continued support for Ukraine. "I totally understand that the U.S. always has to make sure its interests are covered… When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get," Rutte said, highlighting the potential consequences of the pause on Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The Washington Post reported that some military aid was already in Poland, being prepared for delivery to Ukraine prior to the halt. This situation has raised alarm among Ukrainian officials, with a deputy commander in Ukraine’s air defense reportedly warning that the delay could lead to "major casualties among civilians" due to the lack of air defense support. As the situation develops, the U.S. government remains under scrutiny for its approach to military aid to Ukraine, with global implications for regional security and military strategy.