Helter-skelter in the Pentagon: Unexpected halt on Ukraine arms
In January, Pete Hegseth, the head of the Pentagon, decided to halt arms deliveries to Ukraine without consulting the US president. This decision led to confusion and concern in Kyiv, and the deliveries resumed after intervention from Mike Waltz, a former advisor to Donald Trump.
Earlier this year, Pete Hegseth, recently appointed as the head of the Pentagon, chose to halt arms deliveries to Ukraine, without informing President Donald Trump. According to the Reuters agency, this decision followed a meeting in the Oval Office where Ukraine's situation was discussed, but no formal decisions were reached.
As a result of Hegseth's decision, 11 flights carrying arms and ammunition from bases in Delaware and Qatar were canceled, costing the Pentagon over $2 (CAD 2.75) million. Though the specific timing of the order is unclear, its effects were immediate and significant.
Mike Waltz's intervention
The arms deliveries resumed after Mike Waltz, a former national security advisor, intervened upon learning about the situation from Pentagon officials. Waltz, recently dismissed from the White House, played a crucial role in restoring the transports.
Confusion and concerns in Kyiv
Hegseth's decision sparked concerns in Kyiv, where fears arose about the continuity of military support. Ukrainians were told that the delivery disruption was due to "internal policy." Some sources suggest that Hegseth misunderstood the outcomes from White House discussions.
Chaos in the defence department
Reuters highlights the chaos prevailing in the defence department under Hegseth's leadership and his inexperienced team. Among the advisors to the head of the Pentagon are individuals advocating for reduced support for Ukraine, further complicating the situation.
Halt in aid in March
Military aid to Ukraine was halted again for a week in March following a dispute between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump, as well as Vice President J.D. Vance. Since then, deliveries have continued, but they now involve arms approved by President Joe Biden.
No comment from the White House
The White House did not directly comment on Reuters' reports but did not deny them either. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasized that negotiations regarding the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war are complex and will not be publicly detailed.
