US cuts off some weapons to Ukraine after Biden depleted arms stockpiles to arm Zelenskyy

The Pentagon has halted shipments of some previously promised munitions to Ukraine at a key juncture of the country’s war with neighboring Russia due to the depletion of U.S. stockpiles during the Biden administration.

In news that was first reported by Politico, the decision was made after a review of munitions stockpiles “leading to concerns that the total number of artillery rounds, air defense missiles and precision munitions was sinking,” according to the usual anonymous sources of “three people familiar with the issue.”

The decision was driven by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, an appointee of President Donald J. Trump, and includes Patriot air defense system missiles, 155 mm artillery shells, and other missiles for Ukraine’s fighters and drones,” according to the outlet.

CONFIRMED According to well placed US military sources, the Pentagon has halted weapons systems needed by Ukraine at a crucial moment in its fight with Russia. The weapons, which were already on their way to Ukraine and in Poland, include missile interceptors and 155 mm… https://t.co/D8egX0i6vJ

— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) July 1, 2025

The munitions were “already staged in Poland before the order came down,” Fox News reported.

“This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement to media outlets.

“The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran,” she added, a reference to the successful airstrikes against the Islamic Republic’s nuclear weapons program earlier this month.

The moves come as the bloody conflict between the two neighbors drags on despite Trump’s efforts to bring an end to the carnage and save lives. The U.S. leader has expressed frustration with the leaders of both countries over the negotiations to stop the fighting.

“The Department of Defense continues to provide the President with robust options to continue military aid to Ukraine, consistent with his goal of bringing this tragic war to an end,” Colby said in a statement on Tuesday. “At the same time, the Department is rigorously examining and adapting its approach to achieving this objective while also preserving U.S. forces’ readiness for Administration defense priorities.”

“Department of Defense leadership works as a cohesive and smoothly-running team under the leadership of Secretary of Defense Hegseth,” he added. “This is yet another attempt to portray division that does not exist.”

“U.S.-made air defense systems, including the Patriot platform, are the centerpiece of Ukraine’s defenses … They work. They save lives every day,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), the co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus. “If this reporting is true, then Mr. Colby …is taking action that will surely result in the imminent death of many Ukrainian military and civilians.”

“Let’s be clear. @ElbridgeColby has blood on his hands,” fumed disgraced former GOP congressman and Ukraine fella Adam Kinzinger.

Let’s be clear. ⁦@ElbridgeColby⁩ has blood on his hands

Pentagon halting some promised munitions for Ukraine – POLITICO https://t.co/4kRXjT6VqU

— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) (@AdamKinzinger) July 1, 2025

Last week, Trump met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, a sign of better relations between the two after a heated exchange at the White House in February when the Ukrainian leader rudely argued with the President and Vice President JD Vance.

“They do want to have the anti-missile missiles, as they call them, and we’re going to see if we can make some available,” Trump said during a news conference as the summit in the Hague wrapped up last Wednesday. “They’re very hard to get.”