US President Donald Trump said today that his country often diverts weapons from one region to another, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
He said this, commenting on reports that the Pentagon may divert weapons originally intended for Ukraine to the Middle East.
"We do this all the time", Trump said at a cabinet meeting at the White House. "Sometimes we take from one and use it for another (region)", he added.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte declined to comment directly on reports on Tuesday that the United States might redirect military aid intended for Ukraine to the Middle East as the war with Iran rages, Reuters reported.
At a news conference, Rutte said the United States would continue to supply interceptor missiles and other key systems to Ukraine. He did not confirm whether any cuts had been made or were being considered.
NATO sources earlier said the Washington Post report was not a surprise. The newspaper, citing unnamed officials, reported that the Pentagon is reviewing whether weapons originally intended for Ukraine should be redirected to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran strains US stockpiles of critical munitions.
According to reports, the missiles are air defense missiles that were supposed to be delivered to Ukraine through NATO's arms procurement program "Priority Ukraine Requirements List" (PURL). Under this initiative, NATO countries work together to buy defense equipment from the United States for Ukraine after a sharp reduction in direct US funding.
PURL has recently covered a significant share of ammunition for the "Patriot" systems and other air defense options. According to the "Washington Post" The Pentagon has also informed Congress of its plans to reallocate about $750 million from the PURL program to replenish US military stockpiles instead of providing additional aid to Ukraine.
Rutte declined to say whether NATO had been formally notified.