Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON, DC) – President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine, just days after pausing some military shipments to Kyiv.
“We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to – they have to be able to defend themselves,” Trump told reporters ahead of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “They’re getting hit very hard. We’re going to have to send more weapons,” he added, emphasizing the aid would be “primarily defensive.”
Trump’s remarks come after the White House last week paused deliveries of certain weapons, including air defense missiles, following a review of military spending and U.S. commitments abroad.
The review, led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aimed to ensure U.S. defense priorities were not compromised, particularly in light of Pentagon efforts to focus on potential future conflicts in the Pacific.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly defended the pause last week, saying it was part of efforts “to put America’s interests first.”
Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby said at the time that the Defense Department continues to provide the president with options for supporting Ukraine while safeguarding U.S. military readiness.
Russia welcomed the temporary halt in arms shipments, claiming—without evidence—that it reflected U.S. shortages.
However, on Monday, the Pentagon confirmed it would resume Ukraine military aid. “At President Trump’s direction, the Department of Defense will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said. He added that Washington’s global arms shipment review “remains in effect” as part of Trump’s “America First” defense strategy.
The U.S. has remained Ukraine’s largest military backer since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, supplying advanced air defenses, drones, tanks, and anti-armor weapons. However, the pace of U.S. deliveries has raised concerns about depleting American stockpiles.
Trump previously suspended all military aid to Ukraine in March after a heated Oval Office dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but resumed the shipments days later.
His latest decision followed separate calls last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky. Trump described his conversation with Putin as “disappointing,” noting “no progress” on a ceasefire.
Zelensky has been urging Western allies for additional air defense systems amid a sharp increase in Russian drone attacks. On Friday, Russia launched a record drone barrage just hours after Trump’s call with Putin.
Trump said later Friday that Washington was considering Kyiv’s request for more Patriot systems after a “very good” phone call with Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader described their conversation as the “most productive” they’ve had.
On Monday, Trump again expressed frustration with the Kremlin. “I’m not happy with President Putin at all,” he said.
