The Trump administration has reinstated the delivery of certain weapons to Ukraine after a brief pause ordered by the Pentagon last week, officials revealed on Wednesday.
Among the weapons being sent are 155 mm artillery munitions and precision-guided rockets known as GMLRS.
The exact timeline for when these weapons started moving remains unclear.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had initiated the pause on some shipments to allow for a thorough assessment of the Pentagon’s weapons stockpiles, a move that took many by surprise, including the White House.
The pause affected a wide range of weapons, including Patriot missiles, Hellfire missiles, Howitzer rounds, and more, surprising both Ukrainian officials and U.S. lawmakers alike.
It is still uncertain whether the halt on Patriot missile shipments will remain in place, as this $4 million weapon has been of significant importance in recent military operations, particularly during a ballistic missile attack by Iran on a U.S. air base in Qatar last month.
President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that the U.S. would continue to provide defensive arms to Ukraine while sidestepping questions about who was responsible for ordering the shipping pause.
“I would know if a decision is made.
I will know,” Trump remarked on Wednesday.
He added, “In fact, most likely I’d give the order, but I haven’t done that yet.”
When pressed about who initiated the pause, he responded, “I don’t know.
Why don’t you tell me?”
Trump has reportedly shown frustration with Pentagon officials for the announcement.
He felt the decision wasn’t properly discussed with the White House, according to sources close to the matter.
However, the Pentagon contended that Secretary Hegseth’s actions were coordinated with Trump, stating that he laid the groundwork for the President to examine military aid shipments and review existing stockpiles.
This decision comes at a time when Russia has intensified its air strikes on Ukraine, with officials reporting the largest drone assault in a single night in the three-year conflict.
Trump has voiced increasing discontent with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing his dissatisfaction with Russia’s treatment of people.
“Putin is not, he’s not treating human beings right,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, citing this sentiment as a reason for the reversal of the pause on weapon shipments to Ukraine.
“We’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I’ve approved that,” he added.
The 155 mm artillery rounds are among the most frequently used munitions in the ongoing war, measuring about 2 feet in length and weighing about 100 pounds.
These rounds, with a 6.1-inch diameter, are designed for Howitzer artillery systems, which can target positions from a distance of up to 15 to 20 miles, depending on the type and system used.
Such capabilities make these munitions highly valuable to ground forces aiming to strike enemy targets safely from afar.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided over 3 million 155 mm rounds to strengthen Ukraine’s defense.
Overall, the U.S. has contributed more than $67 billion in weapons and military assistance to Ukraine during this period.
image source from：pbs
