The U.S. is freezing some shipments of weapons promised to Ukraine for its ongoing war with Russia until the Defense Department can determine what impact it will have on America’s own stockpiles.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Wednesday that an internal capability review was underway to ensure that U.S. military assistance to other countries aligns with the Trump administration’s defense priorities.
He stressed that the review covers all ongoing U.S. military assistance programs, not just the one to Kyiv.
“The Department of Defense continues to provide the president with robust options regarding military aid to Ukraine, consistent with his goal of bringing this tragic war to an end,” Mr. Parnell told reporters. “We see this as a common-sense, pragmatic step towards having a framework to evaluate what munitions are sent and where.”
He declined to confirm the type and quantity of weapons that could fall under the review. However, U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles and 155mm artillery ammunition are on the list, according to multiple press reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they are working with U.S. negotiators to clarify the details of additional military aid sent to his country.
“One way or another, we must ensure protection for our people,” Mr. Zelenskyy said on Telegram. “We are also working with Denmark and other partners on new agreements for arms production.”
The Defense Department routinely assesses what munitions are being shipped overseas.
“We can’t give weapons to everybody all around the world. We have to look out for America and defend our homeland and troops around the world,” Mr. Parnell said.
The U.S. provided Ukraine with more than $66 billion in military assistance and emergency relief since Russian tanks crossed the border. More than $45 billion worth came from U.S. defense stockpiles.
“For a long time, four years under the Biden administration, we were giving away weapons and munitions without really thinking about how much we had,” Mr. Parnell said. “Part of our job is to give the President a framework so he can evaluate how many munitions we have and where we’re sending them.”
Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said depriving Ukraine of the munitions and interceptors it needs to defend its people against Russian aggression is both a “self-inflicted wound” and a threat to U.S. security.
“If Beijing observes that the United States is not even willing to send weapons to a beleaguered democracy defending common interests and countering a common adversary, why would Beijing believe Washington will send many Americans to fight in the Taiwan Strait?” Mr. Bowman said in a statement.
“That perception increases the chances of aggression against Taiwan that could have been deterred,” he said.
Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are questioning the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily suspend weapons supplies to Ukraine.
“I led the effort to pass the emergency wartime supplemental to ensure Ukraine finally had the weapons it needed to repel Russia’s vicious and unprovoked attack,” Rep. Michael McCaul, Texas Republican, said Tuesday. “We can’t let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin prevail now.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.