The Secretary of State said shipments were only paused for review after US strikes in the Middle East

The US has never stopped supplying military aid to Ukraine, despite reports of a Pentagon-ordered suspension, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims. He insisted that shipments were only temporarily paused to assess stockpiles.

Last week, a Pentagon spokesman confirmed that some arms deliveries, including air defense interceptors and artillery shells, had been paused. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a vocal skeptic of further aid to Kiev, reportedly made the decision without consulting allies or lawmakers. The move raised concern in Europe and drew criticism from Ukrainian officials.

"That decision unfortunately was mischaracterized," Rubio said at a press conference. "It was a pause pending review on a handful of specific type munitions." He described the review as "very limited" and aimed at ensuring that US stockpiles remained sufficient for other global obligations.

"The overwhelming majority of military aid that the United States provides Ukraine has never been paused and continues along the same schedules that it's been," he insisted.

Rubio also noted that most deliveries are "defensive in nature," while stressing that Ukraine still needs more Patriot missile batteries.

Earlier this week, Axios reported that President Donald Trump had promised to send ten Patriot interceptors to Ukraine. Each of these costs about $4 million, and at least two are usually needed to intercept a single target. The limited pledge follows signs that US military support for Kiev is waning.

The most recent pause was the third time arms shipments to Ukraine have been put on hold since Trump took office. While Trump has said support will continue, he acknowledged that Patriot systems are "very rare" and "very expensive."

READ MORE: Trump pledges more weapons for Ukraine

Unlike his predecessor, Joe Biden, Trump has resumed direct talks with Russia and been pushing for a ceasefire. Kremlin officials have welcomed signs of reduced US military support, arguing that Western weapons have only prolonged the conflict without altering its course.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out on Thursday that, despite the Trump administration's apparent desire for peace, the US is still supplying arms to Ukraine. He warned that the conflicting statements coming out of Washington are not encouraging diplomatic progress, while noting that bringing arms deliveries to a full stop would bring a resolution to the conflict "closer."

(RT.com)