The key facts

  • Hegseth denies a change in US policy on Ukraine and Pentagon directives restricting satellite communications
  • According to him, the US wants to maintain sufficient stockpiles of Patriot interceptors for its own troops
  • The statements were made amid reports of delays in transferring interceptors to Ukraine from allied countries

Hegseth: policy has not changed

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, denied reports of a change in Washington's policy toward Ukraine. Responding to a question about publications saying the Pentagon is delaying the transfer of Patriot interceptors from allied countries to Ukraine, he said: 'Much of what has been said in the press about the War Department is not true.' According to him, the US position on Ukraine has not changed, but on the matter of interceptors the department wants to make sure that American troops also have maximum stockpiles.

Satellite communications and Starshield

Hegseth added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is aware of the situation. Asked whether the unchanged policy also concerns Starshield satellite network services used by Ukrainian forces, the secretary said Washington has not withdrawn any support: 'We have not pulled back anything. There are terms of service that ultimately must be observed, and that is where Starlink has the ability to make such decisions.' He emphasized that there were no directives from the US side. The statements came amid publications questioning the Trump administration's approach to military aid to Kyiv and the status of satellite communications services for Ukrainian troops.