US halts Ukraine-bound missile deliveries to replenish its own stockpiles

Firefighters working at the site of a building heavily damaged by a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Courtesy: Reuters photo)

In a significant shift that could affect Ukraine’s battlefield defences, the Trump administration has stopped the delivery of key US weapons—including Patriot interceptors, Hellfires, and Stinger missiles—that were intended for Kyiv. The halted shipments, now stuck in Poland, will instead be diverted to replenish US military stockpiles, Pentagon and congressional sources confirmed Tuesday.

The decision, made after an internal US Defense Department review, signals a growing recalibration in Trump’s foreign policy: focusing less on arming Ukraine and more on shoring up US readiness amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and longer-term concerns about China, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A sudden redirection of firepower

The munitions included some of Ukraine’s most urgently needed defences—Patriot systems that intercept Russian ballistic missiles, air-to-air and surface-to-surface rockets, and anti-aircraft weapons like Stingers. These systems had already been approved and funded by Congress. Their delivery was imminent until the administration quietly froze the transfer.

A White House spokesperson described the halt as part of a broader strategy review. “This decision was made to put America’s interests first,” said Anna Kelly, noting that the Pentagon was aligning weapons distribution with “President Trump’s priorities.”

But the message this sends to Ukraine is stark: America’s commitment to Kyiv’s defence is no longer guaranteed.

From rhetoric to reality

Trump’s remarks at the NATO summit last week painted a confusing picture. In response to a Ukrainian reporter, he had said the US would “see if we can make some [Patriots] available,” calling them “very hard to get.” Behind the scenes, however, those same weapons were already being withheld.

The move also marks the second time the Trump administration has reallocated weapons intended for Ukraine. Last month, special fuses for anti-drone rockets—earmarked for Kyiv—were redirected to US Air Force units in the Middle East. In both cases, the Pentagon has cited legal authority under a 2023 emergency spending bill to retain the equipment.

Reactions split across party lines

Democratic lawmakers reacted with alarm. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the decision “catastrophic” and warned that “the Pentagon is significantly weakening Ukraine’s defence against aerial attacks even as Russia pounds Ukrainian cities night after night.”

Critics worry this pause will cost lives—both military and civilian—in Ukraine, where Russian forces continue air assaults. William Taylor, former US ambassador to Ukraine, said the Patriots are critical not just for Ukraine’s defence but for broader US interests. “The Ukrainians are defending themselves, the rest of Europe, and US security interests from an aggressive Russia,” he said.

However, some within the Trump orbit support the move. Dan Caldwell, a former Pentagon official aligned with Trump’s America First stance, called the decision prudent. “There are no vital American interests at stake,” he said. “Prioritizing our own readiness is the right call.”

A changing posture toward Ukraine

Although Trump has repeatedly claimed he can “end the war in 24 hours,” his administration has increasingly backed away from actively supporting Ukraine militarily. It has not requested any new congressional funds under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a separate program that allows Kyiv to purchase weapons directly from US defence contractors.

Meanwhile, Trump has openly questioned NATO’s unity and floated the idea of re-admitting Russia to the G-7. His inconsistent statements—at times calling Ukraine’s President Zelensky responsible for prolonging the war, then blaming Putin—have added to the uncertainty about where the US stands.

What is clear, however, is that Trump’s latest move marks a sharp departure from past US policy. As Ukraine pleads for more interceptors and missile defences to protect cities under fire, Washington has chosen to keep its arsenal at home.