Isolationism? Washington Pauses Military Aid to Kyiv

The United States has suspended military assistance shipments to Ukraine, according to a senior official in the Trump administration. The pause, reportedly initiated in early June, stems from a Pentagon review that concluded U.S. munitions stockpiles, particularly artillery rounds, air-defense systems, and precision-guided weapons, have dropped to critically low levels.

Matthew Whitaker, U.S. envoy to NATO, confirmed the decision during an interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, underscoring the administration’s “America First” ethos.

“We first have to take care of the United States’ needs,” Whitaker said. “We have to ensure we have enough Patriot missiles and air-defense systems to maintain our strategic capabilities and battlefield effectiveness.”

Whitaker indicated that the move aligns not only with Washington’s priorities but also with broader concerns among NATO allies about shared shortages. Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly echoed this sentiment, stating the decision reflects a commitment to national defense readiness: “The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned, just ask Iran,” she added.

The pause also garnered support from Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, who, after examining supply levels, advocated for prioritizing U.S. needs to ensure sustained readiness.

In a parallel diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held a rare phone conversation, their first since September 2022.

While the leaders disagreed on Ukraine, they found common ground on resolving the ongoing Iran conflict and both expressed interest in a peaceful conclusion to the war in Ukraine.

No formal notification of the aid suspension was delivered to Kyiv, leaving the Ukrainian government caught off guard.