Pentagon Pauses Patriot and Other Arms Shipments to Ukraine, Kyiv Seeks Answers

The Pentagon has halted the transfer of a tranche of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine, including Patriot air-defence interceptors and precision-guided artillery rounds, while it conducts a “capability review” of domestic stockpiles. A White House spokesperson said the temporary pause was ordered to ensure U.S. readiness and “put America’s interests first.”

Kyiv said it was not formally notified of the decision and on 2 July summoned acting U.S. chargé d’affaires John Hinkel for an explanation. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry warned that any delay in arms deliveries would embolden Russia, which has intensified missile and drone attacks in recent weeks. The Defence Ministry has requested direct talks with U.S. counterparts to clarify the status of previously agreed assistance.

According to officials and documents reviewed by Ukrainian and U.S. media, the consignments now on hold include about 30 PAC-3 Patriot missiles, 252 GMLRS rockets, nearly 8,500 155 mm artillery shells, 142 Hellfire missiles, 92 AIM air-to-air missiles, 25 Stinger systems and 125 AT-4 anti-tank weapons that were already staged in Poland for onward shipment.

The move has drawn bipartisan criticism from lawmakers and former diplomats in Washington, who argue that withholding air-defence munitions could weaken Ukraine’s ability to protect its cities and front-line positions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the U.S. decision, saying fewer Western weapons would speed an end to the conflict.