US blocks Patriot missiles, artillery for Ukraine without warning

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth halted a major US weapons shipment to Ukraine, despite military analysis showing it wouldn’t affect American readiness, blindsiding the State Department, Kyiv, European allies, and Congress.

The delayed consignment included dozens of Patriot interceptors—key to Ukraine’s missile defence—as well as 155mm artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, precision-guided GMLRS systems, grenade launchers, Stinger surface-to-air missiles and AIM air-to-air missiles for Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets, Caliber.Az reports per US media.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, some of the weapons had already been loaded onto trucks in Poland and other European countries, prepared for delivery to help Ukraine counter Russian missile attacks and ongoing fighting in the east.

But military personnel and officials overseeing the shipment were informed at the last moment that it had been called off.

Three US officials confirmed the shipment had been approved under the Biden administration. Some weapons came directly from US stockpiles, with Congress allocating funds to replenish them.

Others were acquired through a separate programme that purchases new arms for Ukraine from American defence firms and does not draw on US military reserves.

Since large-scale arms deliveries to Ukraine began following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, concerns have grown within the US over dwindling stockpiles and the defence industry’s ability to replace them. In particular, US officials and former officers have cited dangerously low levels of 155mm shells.

In a letter to President Donald Trump, Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick requested an emergency briefing from the White House and the Pentagon over the decision “to withhold urgent, lifesaving military assistance to Ukraine.” He maintained it was possible to support Ukraine’s needs while ensuring sufficient supplies for US forces.

Dan Caldwell, a former senior Pentagon official, defended Hegseth and Elbridge Colby—who was also involved in the decision—stating: "They are prioritizing the safety and readiness of our own military over pleasing the foreign policy establishment, who often seem in denial about the real constraints the United States military is facing."

Hegseth has halted arms shipments to Ukraine twice before without apparent coordination with Congress or other parts of the administration. His first pause, in February, prompted a strong reaction from Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, who called it “a rookie mistake.” A second suspension followed in early May, a Senate aide confirmed. Both decisions were reversed within days.

Representative Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas and vocal supporter of continued US aid to Kyiv, warned of the consequences of wavering support: “We can’t let Putin prevail now. President Trump knows that too and it’s why he’s been advocating for peace,” he posted on social media.

“Now is the time to show Putin we mean business. And that starts with ensuring Ukraine has the weapons Congress authorized to pressure Putin to the negotiating table.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev