- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorised a pause on weapons delivery to Ukraine without informing President Trump or the White House, prompting an internal scramble within the administration, according to a CNN report.
- The decision caused upset in Ukraine, which was relying on the arms shipments to counter intensified Russian assaults.
- The reported rationale for the pause was concern over low US weapons stockpiles, potentially for diversion to Israel to aid its conflict with Iran.
- President Trump initially told Hegseth to restart some shipments, then abruptly reversed the pause entirely after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating more defensive weapons would be sent to Ukraine.
- This incident is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Hegseth's leadership at the Department of Defense, raising further questions about his judgment and the stability of his office.
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