Trump Announces Increased U.S. Weapons Support for Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration will resume and increase weapons shipments to Ukraine, primarily focusing on defensive arms, after facing backlash from Kyiv and its allies over an earlier decision to suspend some deliveries. The renewed support comes amid escalating Russian aggression, including the capture of the Ukrainian village of Dachne in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, D.C., Trump stated that the new shipments would consist mostly of defensive weapons. “We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves,” he said, emphasizing the severity of the current situation, adding, “They are getting hit very hard now.”

The move follows widespread criticism of the Pentagon’s earlier announcement that it would pause the delivery of certain weapons, such as air defense missiles and precision-guided artillery systems. This decision had raised serious concerns in Ukraine and among its Western supporters, who feared that reducing military aid could weaken Ukraine’s ability to resist ongoing Russian advances.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell later confirmed Trump’s statement, saying Washington would indeed send “additional defensive weapons” to Ukraine. He explained that the goal is to help Ukrainians defend themselves while the U.S. continues diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting peace and stop the bloodshed. Parnell also noted that all decisions would continue to reflect the “America First defense priorities” that guide U.S. military strategy.

Trump’s commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s military capability came just hours after Russia announced that it had seized control of the village of Dachne, part of its sustained efforts to gain territory in Ukraine’s central regions. This Russian advance added urgency to Ukraine’s need for more military assistance.

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with Trump by phone on Friday to discuss the security situation and the need for continued military support. After the conversation, Zelenskyy said the two leaders agreed to work together to reinforce Ukraine’s air defense systems. “We spoke about opportunities in air defence and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Trump described the call as “very good” and expressed his administration’s willingness to consider selling more Patriot missile systems to Kyiv, citing the urgent need for Ukraine to enhance its defense capabilities. “They need them for defence. I don’t want to see people killed,” Trump said during an interview aboard Air Force One.

The decision to resume and expand weapons shipments marks a significant shift in Trump’s Ukraine policy after initial hesitation about depleting U.S. weapons stockpiles. While continuing to prioritize American interests, the administration appears to recognize the strategic and humanitarian imperatives of supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts. The renewed military aid is expected to bolster Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s continued offensives and reassure U.S. allies of Washington’s commitment to international stability and peace.