Pentagon confirms a ‘capability assessment’ amid a pause in military assistance to Ukraine  

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**US Halts Military Aid Deliveries to Ukraine Amid Review**

The US Department of Defense has confirmed that some military assistance to Ukraine has been put on hold as the Pentagon conducts a review of foreign aid deliveries. This move has sparked concerns among Ukraine’s allies, who are urging the US to continue providing support to the embattled country.

According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the capability review is being conducted to ensure that US military aid aligns with American defense priorities. “This is a common-sense, pragmatic step towards having a framework to evaluate what munitions are sent and where,” Parnell said in a statement.

The White House earlier confirmed the pause in shipments, citing a broader reassessment of US military stockpiles amid reports that the Trump administration had halted promised air defense shipments to Ukraine. The weapons being held back include Patriot air defense missiles, Stinger air-defense systems, precision artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, drones, and AIM air-to-air missiles.

**Ukraine’s Allies Express Concern**

The move has raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies, who are urging the US to continue providing support to the country. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has voiced their opposition to the decision to halt military aid shipments to Ukraine.

“We must build up our own defense industrial base here in the US while simultaneously providing the needed assistance to our allies who are defending their freedom from brutal invading dictators,” said Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal described the military aid pause as “fallacious and maybe even disingenuous.”

**NATO Secretary General Weighs In**

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also weighed in on the issue, saying that he understands the US need to safeguard its own defense capabilities but underscored that Ukraine urgently requires sustained support.

“I totally understand that the US always has to make sure its interests are covered… When it comes to Ukraine, in the short term, Ukraine cannot do without all the support it can get,” Rutte said.

**Timeline Uncertain**

The US Defense Department will not provide updates on the timeline and quantity or type of munitions provided to Ukraine. Parnell stated that “what we’ve done here at the Department of Defense is create a framework to analyze what munitions we’re sending (and) where.”

Read More @ kyivindependent.com

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