New Pentagon policy could divert weapons built for Ukraine back into US stockpiles

Source: CNN Politics

Updated Aug 8, 2025, 9:19 AM ET
PUBLISHED Aug 8, 2025, 4:00 AM ET



A memo written by the Pentagon’s policy chief last month gives the Defense Department the option to divert certain weapons and equipment intended for Ukraine back into US stockpiles, according to four people who have read it — a dramatic shift that could see billions of dollars previously earmarked for the war-torn country go toward replenishing dwindling American supplies. The memo adds even more uncertainty to an already murky picture of the status of US arms shipments to Ukraine ahead of President Donald Trump’s potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week.

Even as Trump has greenlit a plan to sell US weapons to Ukraine through NATO, there remain deep concerns inside the Pentagon over arming Kyiv in its war with Russia at the expense of US stockpiles. That is particularly true of highly sought-after items that remain in short supply, such as interceptor missiles, air defense systems and artillery ammunition.

Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused a large package of weapons shipments to Ukraine. At the time, Hegseth was acting in accordance with the Pentagon memo, written by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, a noted skeptic of arming Ukraine.

Shortly after the pause became public, Trump reversed Hegseth’s pause and vowed to continue providing defensive weapons to Ukraine in the face of near daily attacks from Russia. Trump also announced a deal with NATO to provide potentially billions of dollars in more weapons to Ukraine, made by the US but paid for by European allies.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/politics/pentagon-could-divert-weapons-for-ukraine-us-stockpiles