A memo drafted last month by Elbridge Colby, the US undersecretary of defense for policy, allows the Pentagon to divert some weapons and equipment originally intended for Ukraine into US reserves, four people who read the document told CNN on 8/8.

"This memo gives the US Department of Defense the authority to reclaim weapons already contracted to Ukraine," one person said. "This appears to be undermining what the president says the US is doing to help Ukraine achieve what they need."

Sources said that weapons for Ukraine do not appear to have been redirected yet, but the provision in Colby's memo could take away billions of USD worth of US-produced materiel for Ukraine, slated for delivery over the next few months and years.

US soldiers inspect artillery shells intended for Ukraine at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware in 4/2022. Photo: AP

US soldiers inspect artillery shells intended for Ukraine at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware in 4/2022. Photo: AP

This could also affect the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a program initiated by the US Congress nearly a decade ago to allocate budget for the Pentagon to purchase weapons directly from US defense companies and transfer them to Ukraine.

The US Senate just allocated an additional $800 million to USAI as part of the Pentagon's annual budget. However, it is unclear whether weapons produced with this money will reach Ukraine under the Pentagon's new policy, sources said.

Undersecretary Colby's memo, approved by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, is still in effect. It categorizes weapons in US stockpiles into red, amber, and green groups. The red and amber groups include weapons that the Pentagon assesses are in short supply and require Hegseth's approval before transfer.

Patriot missile interceptors fall into the red group, sources said. Among the weapons whose transfer Hegseth halted last month were dozens of Patriot interceptors. However, US President Donald Trump later ordered Hegseth to proceed with the transfer to Ukraine.

US media reported that this red list includes various weapons used by Ukraine on F-16 fighter jets, guided artillery shells, Hellfire anti-tank missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is unclear whether the US has transferred these weapons to Ukraine yet.

Patriot launchers and radars at an event in Ukraine in 8/2024. Photo: Reuters

Patriot launchers and radars at an event in Ukraine in 8/2024. Photo: Reuters

This new policy comes as the Trump administration seeks to shift the burden of military aid for Ukraine to NATO and Europe. Undersecretary Colby has repeatedly urged retaining more weapons in US stockpiles in preparation for potential future conflicts.

The Pentagon is working with NATO to build a new system to sell weapons to European allies, who would then transfer them to Ukraine, sources said. This mechanism would create a NATO bank account for allies to deposit money to purchase US weapons.

Trump mentioned this mechanism last month in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "We have reached an agreement where the US will transfer weapons to Europe, and they will pay. We are not buying these weapons; we are making them, and they are paying," he said.

Under the new mechanism, Ukraine will submit a list of desired weapons and equipment to NATO. General Alexus Grynkewich, head of US European Command and in charge of NATO operations, will determine whether the US has sufficient weapons in stock to sell before forwarding the list to European partners for purchase.

Two sources said NATO is working towards transferring $10 billion into the account to purchase weapons for Ukraine. Rutte announced on 5/8 that NATO allies have pledged over $1 billion to equip Ukraine with weapons.

Nguyen Tien (According to CNN, AFP, AP)