Pete Hegseth Temporarily Halted Ukraine Weapons Shipment Without White House Knowledge

In early July, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth paused American weapons deliveries to Ukraine without informing the White House. The decision affected a package containing various munitions, causing confusion among officials and allies.

Jul 9, 2025 - 12:12
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Pete Hegseth Temporarily Halted Ukraine Weapons Shipment Without White House Knowledge

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized a temporary halt to American weapons shipments to Ukraine early in July without notifying the White House, as reported by CNN on July 8, citing five undisclosed sources.

The pause, approved on July 2, affected a package that included Patriot interceptor missiles, 155 mm artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, Stinger and AIM air-to-air missiles, and other key munitions. Some of the weapons had already reached Poland and were en route to Kyiv when the shipment was stopped, according to NBC News.

When asked by a reporter on July 4 about the pause in U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump denied any suspension, stating, \"We haven't (paused the shipments). We're giving weapons.\"

The move reportedly surprised national security officials, the State Department, Congress, and U.S. allies in Europe. Hegseth did not consult with Secretary of State Marco Rubio or U.S. special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg prior to the decision. Both officials reportedly learned of the pause from media reports.

Hegseth's decision was influenced by a recommendation from Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, a critic of large-scale aid to Ukraine. The proposal was approved by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg before Hegseth gave final signoff. Sources indicated that Hegseth believed the move aligned with Trump's \"America First\" priorities.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the decision was part of a Pentagon review \"to ensure all support going to all foreign nations aligns with America's interests.\" She emphasized that Trump had ordered the resumption of the shipments and expressed confidence in the secretary of defense.

The delay came days before a significant Russian missile attack on Ukraine. On July 4, Russian strikes killed at least two people and injured 23 in Kyiv, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to renew calls for additional air defense systems. He praised the U.S.-supplied Patriot systems as \"real defenders of life.\"

A senior U.S. military review concluded that the weapons shipment would not compromise American military readiness. While some precision munitions stockpiles were low, they remained above critical thresholds. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, criticized the justification, stating that no emergency-level depletion of stockpiles was found.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce clarified on July 8 that the pause should not be seen as a policy shift. She affirmed continued support for Ukraine and highlighted the resumption of arms deliveries and Trump's call with Zelensky.

Upon learning of the pause, Trump quickly reversed course and instructed Hegseth to resume at least part of the shipment, including Patriot missiles. In a call with Zelensky on July 4, the president downplayed his role in the delay, which Zelensky described as \"the best conversation in all this time.\"

According to the source: The Kyiv Independent.

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