US stops NATO weapon shipments to Ukraine

The United States has temporarily paused the delivery of weapons intended for Ukraine through NATO allies due to the threat of a government shutdown, Axios reports.

According to the publication, citing sources within the State Department, the suspension affects shipments of AMRAAM missiles as well as Aegis and HIMARS combat systems.

Officials emphasised that the measures are solely related to internal U.S. administrative and budgetary issues and do not reflect any changes in U.S. policy supporting Ukraine.

The pause occurred because nearly three-quarters of the State Department staff responsible for organising weapons deliveries were placed on unpaid leave due to the shutdown, the report notes.

A senior State Department official said the situation is “harming both our allies and partners and US industry to actually deliver a lot of these critical capabilities overseas.” According to him, only one-quarter of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ staff is currently working, which significantly slows down the processing of agreements.

Typically, the sale of American weapons abroad is a straightforward process; however, the Arms Export Control Act mandates congressional involvement. Due to furloughs among officials responsible for notifying congressional committees, this mechanism has effectively come to a standstill.

Shipments are expected to resume once federal government funding is restored.

By Khagan Isayev