White House caught off guard by Pentagon’s Ukraine weapons pause
The Pentagon’s decision to pause some Ukraine-bound weapons reportedly blindsided the White House and State Department. Sources told CNN that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the hold without notifying President Donald Trump, who denied authorizing it.
The pause appears to have intensified Trump’s frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he recently criticized in unusually blunt terms.
Analysts note that the Trump administration has provided less detail than its predecessor about specific weapons packages, possibly to preserve strategic ambiguity and avoid telegraphing moves to Moscow.
Why did Trump resume US weapons shipments to Ukraine?
Trump said this week that the United States will resume defensive weapons shipments to Ukraine, days after the Pentagon confirmed it had paused deliveries of some key systems amid concerns over military stockpiles.
Trump approved the resumption of shipments following a series of public and private comments expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting. “He’s killing too many people.”
Trump said the renewed aid would consist primarily of defensive weapons to help Ukraine counter intensified Russian attacks.
What triggered the pause in weapons shipments?
In June, the White House acknowledged a temporary halt to some military aid, including Patriot air defense interceptors. Pentagon officials cited low U.S. inventories and an ongoing review of global arms transfers. Ukrainian officials expressed surprise, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought clarification.
Asked Tuesday, July 8, by a CNN reporter who ordered the pause, Trump responded, “Why don’t you tell me?”
What was Ukraine’s response?
Ukrainian officials welcomed the reversal. Deputy parliamentary speaker Olena Kondratiuk called it the “right decision” to protect civilians from escalating Russian strikes.
Foreign affairs committee chairman Oleksandr Merezhko, according to the Washington Post, described it as a “positive signal ” and warned that denying Ukraine assistance would damage U.S. strategic interests.
Zelenskyy described his July 4 conversation with Trump as the “most productive” to date, emphasizing Ukraine’s need for Patriot missile systems.
What else did Trump say about Putin and sanctions?
Trump said he remains “very disappointed” with Putin and hinted he may support new sanctions. Their last phone call preceded a Russian assault involving more than 500 drones and missiles.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
