Pentagon turmoil: Unapproved Ukraine arms halt sparks chaos
In January, the head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, decided to halt arms deliveries to Ukraine without President Trump knowing. This decision led to confusion and concerns in Kyiv, and the deliveries were resumed following the intervention of former advisor to Donald Trump, Mike Waltz.
At the beginning of the year, Pete Hegseth, the new head of the Pentagon, chose to stop arms deliveries to Ukraine without informing President Donald Trump. According to the Reuters agency, this decision followed a meeting in the Oval Office where the situation in Ukraine was discussed, yet no formal resolutions were made.
As a result of Hegseth's decision, 11 flights carrying arms and ammunition from bases in Delaware and Qatar were cancelled, costing the Pentagon over 2 million dollars (1.5 million pounds). Although the exact timing of the order is unknown, its effects were immediate and noticeable.
Mike Waltz's intervention
The arms deliveries resumed after the intervention of Mike Waltz, a former national security advisor, who learnt 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 raised concerns in Kyiv, where there were fears about the continued military support. Ukrainians were informed that the disruption in deliveries was due to "internal policy." Some sources claim that Hegseth misinterpreted the outcomes of discussions at the White House.
Chaos in the defence department
Reuters highlights the chaos prevailing in the defence department under Hegseth's leadership and his inexperienced associates. Among the advisors to the head of the Pentagon, there are individuals lobbying for reduced support for Ukraine, which further complicates the situation.
Halt in aid in March
Military aid to Ukraine was halted again for a week in March following an argument between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, as well as Vice President J.D. Vance. Since then, deliveries have continued, but they pertain to 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. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt emphasised that the negotiations regarding the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war are complex and will not be discussed in detail publicly.
