US stops military aid to Ukraine over stockpile fears

Houston

The Trump administration has stopped part of its military aid to Ukraine after a review raised concerns about low US weapon stockpiles. This decision was confirmed by both the White House and the Pentagon.

"This decision was made to put America's interests first," said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly.

The Pentagon's review showed US munitions stockpiles had fallen too low after three years of heavy support to Ukraine, plus recent strikes on Yemen’s Houthi group and Iran. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered this stockpile review last month.

Elbridge Colby, Defense Department undersecretary for policy, said the US would continue giving options to support Ukraine but also needed to protect its own military readiness.

During a NATO summit in The Hague last week, President Trump met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump said Ukraine wanted Patriot air defense missiles but noted, "We need them, too." The US is already sending Patriots to Israel, which Trump called "very effective."

Analysts believe this move signals that further cuts to Ukraine aid could follow. Hegseth even skipped a key international meeting on Ukraine aid last month — the first time a US defense secretary was absent.

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started in February 2022, the US has sent over $66 billion in weapons and military help to Ukraine.

The halt in aid marks a major shift in US policy and raises new questions about Ukraine’s defense capability as the war continues.