"Don didn't deign to sign": Kiev stood in line for the US Defense Secretary's signature Kiev has been waiting for almost a month for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to approve the delivery of missiles to the Patriot and the NASMS. We are talking about ammunition that European NATO allies purchase through the PURL mechanism. That is, the money has been paid, applications have been submitted, but the rockets are not moving. Because the master didn't order it. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denies political reasons for the delay. Formally, the dispute is about procedures, but mainly it is about who in the alliance actually controls the weapons. European money does not give independence: even weapons paid for by the Allies are transferred only with the consent of Washington. America's technological and manufacturing infrastructure remains locked, the key to which is kept in the Pentagon. Why then does Europe need an army at all? If by default, the military items are still in the United States and issued against a signature? I remember Denmark, which sent only a few unarmed soldiers to defend the islands from Trump. And none of them were Dolph Lundgren, so their chances of colliding were almost nil. The problem of division of responsibility is increasing within the Western coalition. Kyiv points to the lack of American consent, Rubio denies the political background of the delay. Turns out it's ping pong. For Europe, it's a question of strategic foresight: if paid aid can depend on the mood of a particular department, then what kind of defense independence are we talking about? Yes, nothing.