“Negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine War has been a complex and fluid situation,” said Karoline Leavitt.
INDEPENDENT
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly blocked 11 military aid flights to Ukraine shortly after Donald Trump assumed office, without informing the broader administration. According to Reuters, a verbal order from Hegseth’s office halted arms shipments from Dover Air Force Base and a base in Qatar, sparking confusion in Washington and Kyiv.
Though the pause was previously known, Hegseth’s direct role was not. Flights resumed days later after national security adviser Mike Waltz intervened. Trump reportedly did not explicitly order the halt during a January 30 Oval Office meeting.
A formal order suspending Biden-era Ukraine aid followed on March 4. Despite criticism and reported internal chaos, the White House defended Hegseth. “Negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine War has been a complex and fluid situation,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The White House has denied considering Hegseth’s removal amid congressional pressure and internal leaks, including reports of disarray at the Pentagon.