Trump administration resumes sending some weapons to Ukraine after Pentagon pause
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has resumed the delivery of certain weapons to Ukraine, following a pause initiated by the Pentagon the previous week, U.S. officials reported on Wednesday.

The arms being sent to Ukraine include 155 mm munitions and precision-guided rockets known as GMLRS, as per two officials who spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity. They disclosed this information, which had not been made public. The precise timeline for when these weapons began to be dispatched remains unknown.

Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instituted a pause on certain shipments to enable the Pentagon to evaluate its weapons inventories, a decision that took the White House by surprise.

President Donald Trump, left, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington.

President Donald Trump, left, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Affected was Patriot missiles, the precision-guided GMLRS, Hellfire missiles, Howitzer rounds and more, taking not only Ukrainian officials and other allies by surprise but also U.S. lawmakers and other parts of the Trump administration, including the State Department.

It was not clear if a pause on Patriot missiles would hold. The $4 million munition is in high demand and was key to defending a major U.S. air base in Qatar last month as Iran launched a ballistic missile attack in response to the U.S. targeting its nuclear facilities.

President Donald Trump announced Monday that the U.S. would continue to deliver defensive weapons to Ukraine. He has sidestepped questions about who ordered the pause in exchanges with reporters this week.

“I would know if a decision is made. I will know,” Trump said Wednesday. “I will be the first to know. In fact, most likely I’d give the order, but I haven’t done that yet.”

Asked a day earlier who ordered the pause, he said, “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

Trump has privately expressed frustration with Pentagon officials for announcing the pause – a move that he felt wasn’t properly coordinated with the White House, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The Pentagon has denied that Hegseth acted without consulting the president, saying, “Secretary Hegseth provided a framework for the President to evaluate military aid shipments and assess existing stockpiles. This effort was coordinated across government.”

It comes as Russia has fired escalating air attacks on Ukraine, with a barrage that the largest number of drones fired in a single night in the three-year-old war, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

Trump has become increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he wasn’t happy with him.

“Putin is not, he’s not treating human beings right,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, explaining the pause’s reversal. “It’s killing too many people. So we’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I’ve approved that.”

The 155 mm artillery rounds have become some of the most used munitions of the war. Each round is about 2 feet (60 centimeters) long, weighs about 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and is 155 mm, or 6.1 inches, in diameter. They are used in Howitzer systems, which are towed large guns identified by the range of the angle of fire that their barrels can be set to.

Howitzer fires can strike targets up to 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometers) away, depending on what type of round and firing system is used, which makes them highly valued by ground forces to take out enemy targets from a protected distance.

The U.S. has provided more than 3 million 155 mm rounds to Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. It has sent more than $67 billion in overall weapons and military assistance to Ukraine in that period.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Australian police fatally shoot a suspect in a 3-hour standoff after 2 officers killed

Australian Police Conclude Three-Hour Standoff with Fatal Shooting of Suspect Following Officer Fatalities

Australian authorities announced on Monday that they believe they have fatally shot…
Fitness influencer Roberto Cunha Lima shot and killed leaving gym as cops launch manhunt

Tragic End for Fitness Icon Roberto Cunha Lima: Authorities Launch Urgent Manhunt After Shocking Gym Shooting

A well-known fitness influencer met a tragic end when a gunman on…
California gubernatorial candidates' salaries revealed

Unveiling California’s Gubernatorial Paychecks: What Do Candidates Really Earn?

As California prepares to elect a new governor to succeed Gavin Newsom,…
NYC fire that killed child, 3 others in problem-plagued building now a homicide: cops

NYC Tragedy: Fatal Fire in Troubled Building Ruled Homicide, Claims Lives of Four Including Child

A devastating fire in a Queens building, notorious for its numerous code…
Judge dismisses charges against two ex-Louisville police officers in Breonna Taylor shooting case

Charges Dropped for Two Former Louisville Officers in Breonna Taylor Case

A federal judge in Louisville, Kentucky, has decided to drop the charges…
High school athlete paralyzed after trying to save pal during late-night brawl that ended in gunfire: report

Heroic High School Athlete Paralyzed After Courageous Act to Save Friend in Late-Night Gunfire Incident

A Texas high school student and athlete has been rendered permanently paralyzed…
Thieves steal paintings by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse from Italian private museum

Masterpiece Heist: Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse Paintings Stolen from Italian Museum

ROME — In a daring theft, burglars have absconded with three priceless…
The paranoid reason why Tiger Woods won't hire a driver despite history of car crashes

Tiger Woods’ Reluctance to Hire a Driver: The Surprising Reason Behind His Choice Despite Past Car Incidents

Tiger Woods, the renowned golfer frequently involved in car accidents, prefers to…
Blakeman accuses Hochul of pay-to-play scheme with Uber to win re-election

Blakeman Alleges Pay-to-Play Tactics in Hochul’s Reelection Campaign Involving Uber

Republican candidate for governor, Bruce Blakeman, has taken aim at his opponent,…
Iran's internet blackout hiding strike damage and suppressing dissent, Israeli officials say

Iran’s Internet Shutdown Sparks Concerns Over Concealed Strike Impact, Israeli Officials Report

Israeli authorities are cautioning that Iran’s persistent internet blackout is influencing the…
3,500 US troops arrive in the Middle East on USS Tripoli as Iran issues threat against ground invasion

3,500 US Troops Deploy on USS Tripoli Amid Rising Tensions as Iran Warns Against Middle East Ground Invasion

A contingent of 3,500 U.S. sailors and Marines has arrived in the…
President Trump posts letter from Billy Graham's son about fate of his immortal soul

Franklin Graham’s Letter to Trump Sparks Debate on Immortal Soul and Spiritual Legacy

WASHINGTON — In a letter shared on Truth Social this Palm Sunday,…