'Dangerous' US Halt to Ukraine Aid Could See Russian Battlefield Gains

Newsweek

a day ago

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A Ukrainian aid group told Newsweek the White House's recent move to pause weapons deliveries to Kyiv was "dangerous and irresponsible."
On Tuesday, the U.S. confirmed it had paused the delivery of some of Ukraine's most in-demand equipment and supplies.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the decision was made "to put America's interests first" following a review of U.S. military support to other countries.
But it has prompted bipartisan criticism in the U.S. and Yuriy Boyechko, CEO and founder of Hope for Ukraine, predicted it would mean an increase in Ukrainian civilian casualties.
The D.C.-based think tank Institute for the Study of War said the U.S. halt of weaponry on air defense interceptors, artillery shells, missiles and rockets would lead to Russian gains as previous American aid suspensions have in the past.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.
This image from March 6, 2025 shows a Patriot air defense system installed at the military hub for Ukraine at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport in Jasionka, southeast Poland.
This image from March 6, 2025 shows a Patriot air defense system installed at the military hub for Ukraine at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport in Jasionka, southeast Poland.Why It Matters
The U.S. has provided about $67 billion in military aid to Ukraine over the full-scale invasion. Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, there have been concerns from Kyiv and its allies about the U.S.'s continuing commitment to this aid.
Critics of the U.S. aid suspension say the move is likely to help Russia's military operations against Ukraine only weeks after Moscow launched a summer offensive across multiple parts of the front line.
The U.S. move is feared to degrade Ukraine's ability to defend against long-range missile and drone strike capabilities that kill civilians.
What To Know
Politico first reported that a review of U.S. munitions stockpiles had raised concerns over a dip in the Department of Defense's stockpiles, and that an initial decision to hold back some military aid pledged during the previous administration was made almost a month ago.
Aid halted had come through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and donations pulled from U.S. military stocks, which have dwindled due to heavy involvement in the Middle East.
The ISW, citing Western media reports, said the U.S. pause on weapons will affect PAC-3 interceptors for Patriot air defense systems, Stinger man-portable air defense systems, 155mm high explosive howitzer munitions and Hellfire air-to-ground missiles.
Also impacted will be the supply of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets, grenade launchers and AIM air-to-air missiles.
Like previous U.S. aid suspensions to Kyiv, Russia is likely to exploit the halt to push for battlefield gains, the ISW said. This has happened near Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region in mid-January 2024 and in the Kursk region following the suspension of U.S. intelligence-sharing in early March 2025.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the U.S. move Wednesday saying the fewer weapons Ukraine receives, the sooner the war ends.
The ISW said the suspension will consolidate Vladimir Putin's theory he can win a war of attrition with slow advances by outlasting Western support for Ukraine.
Boyechko, from Hope for Ukraine, a group helping communities near the front line, told Newsweek Ukrainian civilians will bear the brunt of the U.S. aid freeze.
Ukraine needed air defense weapons more than ever as Moscow steps up its daily attacks on civilian targets, he added.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, posting on X, he will be "demanding accountability" for the move and sent a letter to the White House.
Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) said the freeze comes "at the wrong time" and will look into whether it breaches 2024 legislation on aid to Ukraine, Politico reported.
And Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the decision, "fallacious and maybe even disingenuous."
What People Are Saying
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly: "This decision was made to put America's interests first following a review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe."
Yuriy Boyechko, CEO and founder of Hope for Ukraine: "The decision by the White House to freeze shipments of air defense and precision-guided weapons to Ukraine is dangerous and irresponsible."
"These are defensive weapons that the Ukrainian military uses to protect civilians from daily attacks by Russian missiles and drones."
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick wrote on X: "Ukraine's courage must continue to be met with action, and the United States must continue to lead with clarity and purpose."
What Happens Next
Fitzpatrick has called on the White House and the Department of Defense to hold an emergency briefing but as of Wednesday, it was unclear when the pause would start after Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it has not received formal notification of delays or cancellations.