US Weapons Exports to NATO Allies Halted Amid Government Shutdown
Due to the suspension of the US government, the export of American weapons worth more than $5 billion to NATO allies and Ukraine has been threatened, causing concern among Washington's partners.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Axios.
According to the State Department's assessment, delays in arms deliveries are a direct result of the partial government shutdown that has been going on for over a month.
Due to a shortage of personnel in key departments, particularly the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the process of approving and transferring defense contracts has virtually come to a standstill.
Among the affected agreements are the supply of high-tech weapons, including AMRAAM missiles, Aegis systems, and HIMARS rocket launchers to allied countries such as Denmark, Croatia, and Poland. Some of these deliveries were intended to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities through weapons redistribution mechanisms.
US officials warn that the export delay is detrimental not only to the security of allies but also to the US defense industry. Representatives of the Republican Party have blamed the Democrats, who, according to them, are blocking key decisions in Congress.
At the same time, Senator James Risch stressed that such a pause plays into the hands of China and Russia as they continue to actively develop their own military programs without internal obstacles.
Earlier, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna and Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi assured that the US government shutdown is not currently affecting military support for Ukraine, as arms deliveries are proceeding and diplomatic contacts are being maintained.
“There is currently no direct impact. All planned supplies in the coming days continue to arrive according to schedule,” Stefanishyna said on November 3.
However, according to Yuriy Boiechko, CEO of the American humanitarian organization “Hope for Ukraine,” the situation could take a turn for the worse if the shutdown continues for a long time. He stressed that the political deadlock in Washington is stalling aid negotiations and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty for Kyiv.
Delays in funding and decision-making, in his opinion, could slow down the provision of both military and civilian support, calling into question the US's ability to maintain its role as Ukraine's leading ally.
The expert also drew attention to the internal dimension of the crisis, arguing that cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have already affected the lives of Ukrainian refugees in the US.
Despite court rulings requiring the use of reserve funds, the Trump Administration announced partial payments, putting thousands of families who fled the war at risk of food shortages. According to Boiechko, this adds humanitarian challenges to the political confrontation, deepening its social consequences.
To remind, the US faced a partial government shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a temporary funding bill, resulting in the closure of government agencies, the layoff of hundreds of thousands of employees, and delays in payments to military personnel and critical workers. The shutdown has put the work of courts, air travel, scientific research, and the publication of important economic data at risk, potentially with serious consequences for the country's economy and security.
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