The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that it is currently conducting a review of its munitions stockpiles, resulting in a temporary halt to weapons shipments previously pledged to Ukraine during the closing weeks of the Biden administration.
At a Wednesday press briefing, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell refrained from specifying which weapon systems are affected, the exact timing of the hold, or who initiated the review. However, reports from Politico and The Wall Street Journal earlier this week attributed the pause to a directive overseen by Elbridge Colby, the Defense Department’s top policy official.
Parnell emphasized that while the U.S. remains committed to supporting Ukraine, any actions taken must also prioritize national defense readiness and align with President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine. “We are actively reassessing our strategy to ensure we fulfill both our international commitments and our obligation to maintain American military dominance,” he said.
He added that no further details would be released about specific munitions or delivery schedules. “The Secretary of Defense will continue advising the president on military aid to Ukraine as conditions evolve,” Parnell stated.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with a broad array of weaponry and millions of rounds of ammunition to support its defense. At last week’s NATO summit, President Trump indicated openness to providing additional Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, though future transfers remain under review.
“We can’t be the world’s arsenal at the expense of our own security,” Parnell noted. “Our priority must be safeguarding America’s interests and ensuring our forces are equipped to meet any global challenge.”
The sudden shift in policy has drawn criticism from defense analysts and lawmakers, who warn it could undermine Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and U.S. credibility. “This abrupt reversal puts Ukrainian lives at risk and damages the perception of American reliability,” said Mark Montgomery, senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “Even if the administration questions past support, pulling back now—after creating dependence on U.S. military aid—is indefensible.”
In response, Parnell described the ongoing review as “pragmatic” and “precautionary,” clarifying that it does not reflect any current shortage in U.S. stockpiles. “Let’s be absolutely clear—our armed forces are fully equipped and capable of executing any mission, anywhere, anytime,” he said.
He pointed to the recent Operation Midnight Hammer as proof of the U.S. military’s overwhelming strength. According to Pentagon estimates, the strike campaign set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by at least two years.
