Democrats suggest shifting weapons from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine

Ro Khanna is a longtime critic of Saudi Arabia and was one of the original sponsors of a 2019 measure that would have forced the US to end military involvement in the war in Yemen. Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Democrats on Capitol Hill have suggested transferring US weapons systems in Saudi Arabia to Ukraine and suspending a planned transfer of Patriot missiles to Riyadh in the wake of what they call a “turning point” in Washington’s relationship with the kingdom.

Ro Khanna, a Democratic congressman from California who is a leading supporter of a weapons freeze, said he believed that “at the very least” Congress would move to halt the transfer of Patriot missiles to the kingdom, and probably pause other defense initiatives.