White House clarifies temporary pause in US military aid to Ukraine

She made the statement during a press briefing in Washington on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

When asked about who exactly — the U.S. President or the Pentagon — made the decision to suspend arms transfers at a time when Russia is striking Ukrainian cities, Leavitt said, "No, neither of those things are true."

According to her, "this was a standard review by the Pentagon of all weapons and all aid and all support that the United States is providing all countries and all regions around the world, not just Ukraine."

Leavitt said that when the incumbent Secretary of Defense took office, he "directed the Pentagon to conduct this review to ensure that everything that's going out the door aligns with America's interests."

Therefore, she explained, "it's a pause to review, to ensure that everything the Pentagon is pushing out there is in the best interest of our military and our men and women in uniform."