Trump to provide weapons to Ukraine for first time via his own decree
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, for the first time since returning to office, is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will be provided under presidential drawdown authority, according to Reuters.
According to sources, Trump’s team is identifying weapons from US stockpiles for urgent delivery to Kyiv. The package is estimated to be worth around $300 million. A final decision is expected during internal meetings on Thursday. The aid could include both defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range missiles, although the exact list of equipment has yet to be finalized.
On Tuesday, Trump publicly stated that the US plans to send more weapons to Ukraine to bolster its defenses. Until now, the Trump administration had only sent weapons previously approved by former President Joe Biden, known for his consistent support for Kyiv.
The presidential drawdown authority allows the US president to quickly transfer weapons from national stockpiles to allies in emergencies. The US still has about $3.86 billion available for such rapid assistance. The last time this mechanism was used was in January, when Biden approved a $500 million arms package.
The Pentagon and White House have not officially commented on Trump’s new initiative.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine has been mixed: at times, he has criticized the scale of US aid and made remarks perceived as sympathetic to the Kremlin, while at other times, he voiced strong support for Ukraine and condemned Russia.
Ukraine continues to prioritize Patriot missile interceptors and mobile GMLRS rocket systems. Sources say that some of these weapons are already stationed in Europe, allowing for delivery to the frontlines within just a few days.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration temporarily halted some weapons shipments previously approved by Biden. However, some of those deliveries have since resumed. Over nearly three and a half years of full-scale war, the US Congress has approved nearly $175 billion in aid and military support for Ukraine and NATO partners.
US arms supplies to Ukraine
Since July 2, Ukraine has stopped receiving military aid from the US. The White House initially confirmed the halt, but after public backlash, clarified that the pause was temporary, intended to reassess weapon stockpiles at US depots.
Deliveries resumed after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 4. After the call, Trump stated that Vladimir Putin was responsible for mass killings and did not rule out transferring another Patriot missile system to Ukraine.
At a press conference with American journalists, Trump said he hadn’t considered who was responsible for the suspension of aid. According to media reports, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth decided without informing either Trump or Congress.
