New Pentagon policy can redirect weapons for Ukraine to the US camp
New Pentagon policy can redirect weapons for Ukraine to the US camp
A recently written memo by the deputy Pentagon Policy chief gives the Department of Defense the opportunity to redirect certain weapons and equipment that was originally intended for Ukraine. This could mean that billions of dollars that were previously intended for the war -plagued land are used to fill up the dwindling American stocks. This dramatic turn ensures additional uncertainty regarding the status of US arms deliveries to Ukraine, especially with regard to an upcoming meeting between former President Donald Trump and the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
concern about US Arms deliveries
Despite the approval of Trump to advance a plan for arms delivery to Ukraine via NATO, there are considerable concerns within the Pentagon that weapon deliveries to Kiev take place at the expense of the US stocks. There are special concerns in terms of much sought -after articles that have been scarce in the past, such as interceptors, air defense systems and artillery ammunition.
weapons breaks and political twists
Defense Minister Pete Hegseth exposed a comprehensive package of arms deliveries to Ukraine last month. This happened in harmony with the Pentagon memo, which was written by the well-known skeptic Elbridge Colby. Shortly afterwards, Trump picked up this break and promised to continue to deliver defensive weapons to Ukraine in order to react to the almost daily attacks from Russia. In addition, an agreement with NATO was announced that is intended to include additional weapon deliveries worth a billion dollar, financed by European allies.consequences of the Colby memos
The Colby Memo, however, remains in force and contains a previously unmelded provision that allows the Pentagon to return weapons that were acquired for Ukraine under the Ukraine (USA) program financed by the congress. Sources report that so far no weapons have been redirected, which could bring Ukraine by billions of dollars of US material that are expected in the coming months and years.
financing and strategic considerations
The USA program, which was set up in 2016, traditionally ensured stable care for Ukraine with weapons. The Senate recently approved an additional $ 800 million for the USA, but remains unclear whether these weapons are actually delivered to Ukraine under the new Pentagon policy. The Pentagon refused to comment on this topic.
New resistance in the Senate
already shows the new Pentagon policy for the first resistance in the Senate. In the proposed NDAA for 2026, a clause was inserted that only allowed the Pentagon to get weapons back that have not yet been handed over to Ukraine and are no longer required for training and support activities.
support from NATO and European allies
The new politics aims to shift responsibility for the armament, equipment and training of Ukraine from the USA to Europe and NATO. At the same time, the Pentagon still has almost $ 4 billion in funding that approved the congress last year to send weapons directly from US stocks to Ukraine. Some NATO allies, including the United Kingdom, urge the United States to use this mandate to put more pressure on Putin.
categorization of weapons stocks
The Colby Memo, which Hegseth approved, categorizes the US stocks in "Red", "Yellow" and "Green" categories. The red and yellow categories include weapons that are rated as short and now need an explicit approval of Hegseth before they are sent to otherness. For example, interception rockets for patriot air defense systems are in the red category.
a NATO account for Ukraine
At the same time, the Ministry of Defense works with NATO on a new system for the sale of weapons to European allies, which can then be made available to Ukraine. Trump mentioned this new mechanism, which enables NATO allied money to deposit into a NATO account to buy weapons from the USA. The Ukraine will send a list of urgent weapon needs directly to NATO.
These developments indicate that US politics has constantly changed in terms of support for Ukraine, while the geopolitical tensions in the region increase.
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