Pentagon Officials Discuss Contradictions in Ukraine Aid Policy

A senior advisor at the Pentagon, Alex Velez-Green, clarified on March 15, 2024, that his office “neither ordered nor even recommended a pause to any weapons shipments to Ukraine” during the summer. His statement contradicted earlier reports and previous testimony, raising questions about the Pentagon’s communication regarding military aid to Ukraine. This clarification came during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, where Velez-Green was nominated to serve as deputy to Elbridge Colby.

The Senate Armed Services Committee has been seeking clarity on the Pentagon’s recent actions, which took both Congress and the White House by surprise. Velez-Green explained that while there were “brief disruptions to delivery of weapons” tied to a capabilities review, he was not aware of any formal pause in aid. This assertion stood in contrast to remarks made by Austin Dahmer, who is currently performing the duties of the position Velez-Green is nominated for. Dahmer had stated earlier in the week that “there’s been a lot of inaccurate reporting” but confirmed he was not aware of any pause in aid.

The inconsistency in statements has prompted concern among lawmakers. On July 2, Sean Parnell, another Pentagon spokesperson, indicated that there was indeed a pause in weapons shipments due to a review of stockpiles. Velez-Green acknowledged the need for “proactive engagement” with Congress to improve communication and share the Pentagon’s perspective on these issues.

Congressional Frustration Over Communication

Senators from both parties expressed frustration over the Pentagon’s lack of coordination with Congress. Republican Senator Tom Cotton likened the policy office’s communication issues to Pigpen, a character from the Peanuts comic strip known for his messy demeanor. Senator Deb Fischer questioned Velez-Green about the necessity of engaging meaningfully with Congress to secure the required funding and authorities for military operations.

The debate extended beyond Ukraine aid to include a broader lack of notification on various Pentagon initiatives, such as the review of the AUKUS agreement and the cancellation of a rotational Army deployment to Romania. Velez-Green highlighted that some media reports contradicted reality, specifically referencing a June article that suggested Colby’s office opposed deploying an additional carrier strike group to the Middle East. Parnell had previously stated that Colby was “totally synced up” with the administration regarding military deployments.

Concerns About National Defense Strategy Development

The Pentagon’s approach to its forthcoming National Defense Strategy has also drawn scrutiny. Traditionally, this document is developed with input from members of the Armed Services Committees; however, Velez-Green noted that this time, coordination was limited. He assured senators that he would provide documentation of discussions related to the strategy in a classified setting if confirmed.

Senator Ted Budd urged Velez-Green to personally respond to lawmakers’ requests for information, rather than relying solely on the office of legislative affairs, as outlined in a recent Pentagon memo. Velez-Green recognized the frustrations expressed by senators and committed to engaging proactively with Congress if confirmed, emphasizing the importance of consultation in addition to coordination.

The ongoing dialogue within the Senate highlights the critical need for clear communication between the Pentagon and lawmakers as the U.S. navigates complex international military obligations and strategic decisions.