Pentagon can retake weapons destined for Ukraine – CNN | 8 Aug 2025 | The Pentagon has a policy in place allowing U.S.-made weapons intended for Ukraine to be redirected back to American stockpiles, CNN reported on Friday, citing a confidential memo seen by several sources. According to the memo reportedly written by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby — described by the network as “a noted skeptic of arming Ukraine” — the department has the power to retake arms designated for Kiev under a program known as the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Under the reported memo, weapons in short supply, such as interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, require direct approval from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before being sent abroad. The pull-back provision is reportedly part of the same document Hegseth used last month to suspend the flow of weapons, including Patriot missiles, to Ukraine.