After returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump will use his presidential authority for the first time to send weapons to Ukraine, highlighting his renewed commitment to supporting the country’s defense, a recent report suggested.
$300 Million in Aid from US Stockpiles
Trump plans to send around $300 million worth of weapons to Ukraine by utilizing the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to draw from existing US stockpiles during emergencies. This move is intended to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against increasing Russian attacks.
New Weapons Package Details
On Tuesday, Trump announced that America would send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself. The upcoming aid package may include defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range rockets, but a final decision on the specific equipment is expected to come during a meeting on Thursday.
Trump’s Shifting Stance on Ukraine
So far, the Trump administration has continued to ship weapons that were authorized by former President Joe Biden, a strong supporter of Ukraine. While Trump’s stance on Ukraine has varied over time—having criticized US military spending and sometimes shown favorable views of Russia—he has also expressed support for Kyiv and criticized the Kremlin.
Current US Aid to Ukraine
The United States currently has $3.86 billion left in funding under the Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine. The most recent drawdown, worth $500 million, was approved by Biden on January 9. Ukraine’s top priorities include Patriot missile interceptors and GMLRS mobile rocket artillery, which may be included in the upcoming aid package and could be deployed to the front lines within days, as many of these weapons are already pre-positioned in Europe.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration paused the delivery of some critical weapons that had been approved by Biden, but those shipments have since resumed.
Significant Support for Ukraine Since Invasion
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly three and a half years ago, Congress has authorized almost $175 billion in aid and military assistance for Ukraine and its allies.
