The US Department of Defense has paused deliveries of certain weapons to Ukraine, including missiles for the Patriot air-defense system, because of extremely low domestic stockpiles.
Politico reports this, citing multiple US officials.
According to the outlet, the Pentagon restricted exports of the munitions it considers most scarce and essential for its own defense needs. Chief among these are missiles for Patriot batteries, which are critical for defending against Russian missile and air attacks.
US officials told Politico that supplies of Patriot missiles are “extraordinarily low.” As a result, some of these missiles will be diverted back to replenish America’s own reserves to maintain a minimum level of defense readiness.
“This isn’t a complete stop to aid. It’s a targeted pause for specific categories. The US continues to send Ukraine plenty of other equipment and weapons,” the sources emphasized.
Officials in Washington also acknowledge that Patriot missiles are among the most complex and expensive to produce. Although the US has approved plans to expand production, it cannot quickly ramp up output.
Politico notes that in June, Congress approved a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than $60 billion. Yet even with that funding, Washington must balance supporting Kyiv with maintaining its own defense readiness.