White House taken aback by Pete Hegseth's decree to halt military aid to Ukraine, alleges recent media account
Title: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Halted Aid to Ukraine, Plunging Top Officials into Confusion in 2025
In a surprising turn of events, back in 2025, Pete Hegseth, then the Secretary of Defense, called for a halt in military aid bound for Ukraine. This shocking move left top national security officials scrambling for answers[1][3][4]. These revelations came from a report detailing the chaos that unfolded at the highest echelons of power.
The freeze on military aid led to a stop in 11 flights carrying artillery shells and other weaponry, which were scheduled to depart from US bases in Delaware and Qatar destined for Ukraine[1]. The abrupt halt was followed by a flurry of questions from Ukrainian and Polish officials to their American counterparts, but the Wheel of Decision seemed stuck[1].
During that tumultuous period, Ukraine's military was waging a desperate battle against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine and in the crucial border region of Kursk[1]. Unfortunately for Ukraine, they were losing ground swiftly, and were soon forced out[1].
Reuters, which broke this story, reports that Hegseth issued a verbal order to halt the weapons shipments shortly after attending an Oval Office meeting on the matter, but Trump, who was present, did not issue any such instruction[3]. The President himself was reportedly unaware of Hegseth's decision, as were other top national security officials in the meeting[3].
The command to halt the military flights is said to have originated from Hegseth's office[3]. According to records reviewed by Reuters, the order traveled through the Pentagon's Joint Staff before reaching its destination[3].
Within a week, on 5 February, the flights resumed their scheduled course[1]. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt commented that Hegseth had adhered to the directive from President Trump to pause aid to Ukraine at the time[1]. Leavitt elaborated that the complex and evolving geopolitical scene surrounding Russia's war with Ukraine made for a fluid situation[1]. Nevertheless, she insisted that the war was moving closer to an end under the current administration[1].
It remains unclear whether Trump questioned or reprimanded Hegseth over the matter[1]. This incident, which occurred post Trump's second term in 2025, is not to be confused with the far earlier controversy in March 2021 when Hegseth, along with other top US officials, faced scrutiny over their discussion of airstrikes in Yemen[2].
In response to the cost of the cancelled flights reviewed by Reuters, TRANSCOM confirmed that the total cost amounted to $1.6m (approximately £1.2m)[1]. TRANSCOM further detailed that only 10 flights incurred charges, averaging $160,000 (approximately £116,000) each[1].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-chief-ordered-hold-military-aid-ukraine-until-early-2025-sources-2022-12-11/[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-top-officials-reveal-chat-about- strikes-yemen- iran-backed-houthis-houthi-2021-03-17/[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/defense-official-in-charge-aid-ukraine-forced-out-2025-report-2022-12-11/[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/11/pentagon-chief-ordered-hold-military-aid-ukraine-until-early-2025-sources-say/
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in 2025, unexpectedly halted military aid intended for Ukraine, causing a stir among top national security officials.
- The halting of military aid resulted in the stop of 11 flights carrying artillery shells and other weaponry, which were meant to depart from US bases in Delaware and Qatar for Ukraine.
- During the period of confusion, the Pentagon's Transcom confirmed that the total cost of the canceled flights was approximately £1.2m.
- The order to halt the military flights, according to reports, originated from Hegseth's office and traveled through the Pentagon's Joint Staff.
- The incident, which was part of the politics and policy-and-legislation surrounding war-and-conflicts, is significant general news.
