Pentagon Officials Disagree on Ukraine Aid Pause During Hearing

A senior Pentagon advisor stated during a Senate confirmation hearing that his office did not recommend a pause in weapons shipments to Ukraine, contradicting earlier reports and testimony from a colleague. The remarks made by Alex Velez-Green on Thursday highlighted ongoing confusion regarding the U.S. military aid strategy, which has drawn scrutiny from Congress and raised concerns about communication protocols within the Pentagon.

During the hearing, Velez-Green, who has been nominated to serve as deputy to Elbridge Colby, clarified that his office “neither ordered nor even recommended a pause” in aid to Ukraine over the summer. This statement directly challenged claims made by Austin Dahmer, who is currently “performing the duties” of the role Velez-Green is nominated for. Dahmer had previously stated, “I’m not aware of any pause in that aid,” during an appearance before the same committee.

At the center of the confusion is a statement made by Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson, on July 2, 2023, which suggested that there was indeed a pause in weapons shipments due to a review of stockpiles. Velez-Green acknowledged the “brief disruptions” in deliveries but emphasized that they were linked to the implementation of a capabilities review, which had been discussed by Parnell.

Senate Concerns Over Pentagon Communication

The lack of clarity surrounding U.S. aid to Ukraine has become a focal point for members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In recent hearings, several lawmakers, including Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas, expressed frustration over the Pentagon’s communication practices. Cotton likened the policy office’s lack of coordination to the character Pigpen from the Peanuts comic strip, known for being perpetually messy.

During the hearings, Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska pressed Velez-Green on the importance of engaging with Congress. “Do you agree that meaningfully engaging with Congress is necessary for the department to ultimately receive the authorities and the funding that are needed to implement ‘peace through strength?’” she asked. Velez-Green agreed, stating that discussions with committee members are valuable, particularly in areas of disagreement regarding support for allies.

Additionally, lawmakers have become increasingly aware of Pentagon decisions, including a review of the AUKUS agreement and a canceled rotational Army deployment to Romania, through media reports rather than official notifications. Velez-Green acknowledged that some media narratives have been “the opposite of reality,” specifically referencing a June report from Semafor regarding Colby’s office and the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the Middle East.

Commitment to Improved Coordination

The ongoing debate over communication practices within the Pentagon reflects a broader concern among lawmakers regarding the development of the forthcoming National Defense Strategy, which is mandated by law. Velez-Green stated, “I believe we developed that document in direct coordination with the secretary’s front office for his direction and intent,” yet acknowledged that further engagement with Congress is crucial.

In response to concerns raised during the hearings, Velez-Green committed to improving communication with lawmakers. He expressed recognition of the frustrations voiced by senators and promised to engage proactively with Congress. “If confirmed, you have my commitment to lean as far forward in engaging proactively with Congress,” he affirmed.

This commitment comes as the Pentagon faces scrutiny over its coordination efforts amid significant geopolitical challenges, including ongoing support for Ukraine and broader military strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. The outcome of Velez-Green’s nomination and the subsequent actions of the Pentagon will likely be closely monitored by both Congress and the public.