Geggset Unilaterally Halts Arms Supplies to Ukraine: Behind the Controversial Decision at the U.S. Department of Defense
Recent reports from Washington shed new light on the complex situation regarding military aid to Ukraine. According to international media outlets, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pite Geggset, made a decisive move that significantly impacted the delivery of weapons to Kyiv. It turns out that, without prior consultation with Congress or the Ukrainian authorities, he personally ordered a suspension of certain high-precision weapons shipments, citing internal concerns about stockpiles within the United States. Sources, preferring to remain anonymous, reveal that this action was unexpected for many, including diplomats, lawmakers, Ukrainian officials, and European allies. Military analysts confirmed that U.S. ammunition reserves remain stable and do not approach critical minimum levels, indicating that this decision appears more as a political maneuver rather than a necessity driven by actual shortages. Within democratic circles, this unilateral step has sparked concern. Notably, Congressman Adam Smith, a key member of the House Armed Services Committee, emphasized that there are no signs of a crisis regarding military stockpiles. “We are not on the brink — after three and a half years of war in Ukraine, our reserves remain at an acceptable level. This is no justification to halt assistance,” he commented to NBC. Official sources indicate that the decision was made by Defense Secretary Geggset without consultation or coordination with other institutions. This marks the third unilateral suspension of military aid by him, following two previous instances in February and May, which were later reversed. Politically, both opponents and allies are frustrated by the Defense Ministry’s disregard for proper procedures of informing and coordinating such critical decisions. European partners and Ukrainian officials are actively seeking clarification of the motives behind this move, while the White House defends the decision, citing ongoing internal reviews and assessments of U.S. stockpiles. According to three high-ranking officials, the review focused on the stocks of high-precision weapons, including missiles and shells, which were found not to have fallen below critical thresholds. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Department of Defense concluded that temporary suspension of aid would not compromise U.S. military readiness or its ability to support ongoing conflicts. This decision has provoked among lawmakers and the administration concerns about future supplies of military equipment, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. While the White House maintains that this step is temporary and part of regular internal reviews, Ukraine continues to count on consistent support from the United States and its allies. Overall, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty as military, political, and diplomatic actors engage in ongoing discussions about future arms supplies amid the broader context of the Ukraine conflict.