**U.S. Defense Secretary Halts Weapons Shipment to Ukraine, Citing Concerns Over American Readiness**
In a surprise move, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unilaterally halted a shipment of critical air defense systems and ammunition to Ukraine on July 2, despite internal military assessments showing the aid would not compromise American military readiness.
According to NBC News, which cited three U.S. officials, the pause in aid caught the State Department, members of Congress, Ukraine, and key European allies off guard. The shipment included dozens of Patriot interceptors, 155 mm artillery rounds, Hellfire missiles, guided missile systems (GMLRS), Stinger and AIM air-to-air missiles, and grenade launchers.
Ukraine suffered one of the largest attacks on July 4, with President Volodymyr Zelensky calling for more air defense to protect civilians in the cities. The attack on Kyiv killed one person and injured 23 more.
**Concerns Over American Readiness**
A senior U.S. military review had concluded that while some munitions stockpiles, including precision weapons, were low, they had not fallen below critical thresholds. Despite this, Hegseth opted to stop the shipment, reportedly his third such move since February.
Congressman Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called the justification “disingenuous.” “We are not at any lower point, stockpile-wise, than we’ve been in the three-and-a-half years of the Ukraine conflict,” he said.
**Reactions from Lawmakers and World Leaders**
Lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration at the lack of advance notice. Republican Congressman Michael McCaul wrote on X, “Now is the time to show Putin we mean business.” Republican Congressman Joe Wilson warned of the consequences amid Russia’s ongoing strikes.
Trump has denied that the U.S. paused shipments on July 3, contradicting Pentagon confirmation and reporting. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas that the country cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine amid fears the U.S. would shift focus towards Beijing.
**Impact on Ukraine**
The halt has initiated debate over the future of U.S. support for Ukraine. “Patriots and their missiles are real defenders of life,” President Zelensky said. “It is very important to maintain the support of partners in ballistic missile defense.”
Fires broke out across the city as Russia attacked the capital overnight on July 4. At least 23 people have been injured, with 1,120 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
**UN Figures Show Threefold Jump in Child Deaths and Injuries**
The latest U.N. figures show a threefold jump in the number of deaths and injuries for children over the three months ending in May.
“This is a war that can be ended,” said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s counter-disinformation center. “Americans should be asking why a president who says he wants to end a major war is instead letting the aggressor run rampant.”
**Read More**
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