US President Donald Trump has announced plans to send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine after his administration paused certain shipments last week.
“We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to—they have to be able to defend themselves,” Trump said 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. Defensive weapons, primarily, but they’re getting hit very, very hard.”
His comments follow reports that the administration had paused some weapons shipments, including air defense missiles, after a review of military spending and foreign support. A White House spokesperson said at the time that the decision aimed to “put America’s interests first.”
Some U.S. officials indicated the review was partly tied to the Pentagon’s focus on China and preparing for potential future conflict in the Pacific. Defense officials stressed they were balancing continued aid to Ukraine with maintaining U.S. military readiness.
Russia welcomed the temporary halt, claiming—without evidence—that it was due to shortages in U.S. stockpiles. Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed that under Trump’s direction, new shipments of defensive weapons would proceed to help Ukraine defend itself while pursuing long-term peace.
The U.S. has been Ukraine’s largest military supporter since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, providing air defences, drones, rocket systems, tanks, and anti-armour weapons, raising concerns about U.S. stock levels.
Earlier this year, Trump had briefly suspended all military aid to Ukraine after a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, before resuming it a week later.
The latest move comes after Trump spoke separately last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky. He described his conversation with Putin as disappointing, saying there was “no progress” toward a ceasefire.
Zelensky has recently urged Western allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses amid intensifying Russian drone attacks. Following a phone call with Zelensky, Trump said the U.S. was considering Ukraine’s request for more Patriot missile systems, and Zelensky later described the discussion as the best and “most productive” they’ve had.
Trump on Monday reiterated his frustration with Putin, saying: “I’m not happy with President Putin at all.”
