Trump, Esper, and the Secret Arms Pause to Ukraine: Who’s Really in Charge Here?
Did you know that US Defense Secretary Mark Esper decided to halt arms shipments to Ukraine without even telling the White House? Yes, you read that right! Twice this year, in February and now in July, Esper independently stopped sending crucial military aid to Kyiv, and President Donald Trump found out from the news!
Who’s losing it here?
CNN sources say neither Trump, his national security advisor Kit Kellogg, nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio were informed in advance about this pause. The Pentagon claimed Esper provided a framework to assess arms stockpiles, but no one expected it to mean a full STOP to Ukraine.
Trump’s reaction: “We’re still sending weapons!”
Once Trump learned about the pause, he immediately ordered shipments to resume, at least partially, including Patriot interceptor missiles that protect Ukrainian civilians from Russian rocket drones. Looks like Trump isn’t thrilled about halting aid to Ukraine, especially as his relationship with Putin has cooled recently.
Why did Esper do this?
Two sources say Esper’s decision not to inform the White House came from the fact he lacks a trusted team of advisors to push him to better coordinate his moves. In short, Esper went rogue without consulting the main players in the administration.
Pentagon and White House playing dumb
Pentagon spokeswoman Kingsley Wilson says Esper only provided a framework for stockpile assessment, while White House spokeswoman Karolina Leavitt claims the Pentagon conducted a review to ensure arms support aligns with US interests. But we all know the real drama is that Esper decided to pause shipments without any coordination!
What does this mean for Ukraine?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that arms shipments resumed after Trump intervened. But imagine the damage if this pause had lasted longer!
Bottom line: Chaos in US arms policy
This situation reveals how chaotic and unpredictable US policy toward Ukraine really is. While one part of the administration wants to help Ukraine defend itself, other parts seem to be playing their own game, without coordination or transparency.
If this sounds like a bad political soap opera, you’re not far off. So, what do you think about this mess? Is Esper a hero trying to save US stockpiles or a traitor endangering Ukraine? Drop a comment and let the conversation roll!
