NBC called the termination of arms supplies to Ukraine the sole decision of Hegset
The head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, single-handedly decided to stop supplying military aid to Ukraine. This was reported on July 4 by NBC News, citing sources.
"The decision to stop arms shipments took the State Department, members of Congress, officials in Kiev, and European allies by surprise," the statement said.
It is clarified that some American officials opposed the cessation of arms supplies to Kiev, as this, in their opinion, does not affect the defense capability of the US army. According to Adam Smith, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, there is no evidence of a shortage that could justify suspending aid to Ukraine.
NBC News emphasized that Elbridge Colby, Hegseth's deputy for policy, supported the Pentagon chief's decision to stop supplies. It is reported that he has long advocated reducing the US role in Ukraine and moving weapons and resources to the Pacific region to counter China.
According to the TV channel, this is the third time that Hegseth has independently blocked the supply of weapons to Kiev. The previous cases occurred in February and May, and both times the decisions were reversed a few days later.
On July 2, Bloomberg reported that officials in Europe were stunned by the US suspension of military aid to Ukraine. Earlier in the day, NBC News reported on Hegseth's decision to suspend the supply of dozens of interceptor missiles for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, more than 100 Hellfire missiles, dozens of Stinger missiles, more than 250 guided precision-guided GMLRS projectiles and other types of weapons to Ukraine.
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the suspension of supplies means not only Washington's shortage of ammunition, but also the hope for a faster end to the conflict in Ukraine.
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