US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO, indicating that he would make a “major statement” regarding Russia on Monday. This announcement comes amid Trump’s growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the stalled efforts to end the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Details of the New Weapons Deal
During an interview with NBC News, Trump discussed a new agreement involving the US, NATO allies, and Ukraine concerning weapons shipments. “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%,” Trump stated. He emphasized that the weapons would go to NATO first, which would then distribute them to Ukraine.
“We send weapons to NATO, and NATO is going to reimburse the full cost of those weapons,” he added. This marks a significant shift, as Trump prepares to send arms to Kyiv under a presidential power frequently utilized by his predecessor.
Sources familiar with the decision revealed that Trump’s team will identify arms from US stockpiles to send to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority that allows the president to draw from weapons stocks to assist allies in emergencies. The value of the arms could reach approximately $300 million.
On Tuesday, Trump stated that the US would increase its military support to Ukraine to help the nation defend itself against escalating Russian advances. The upcoming package may include defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range rockets, although a final decision on the specific equipment has yet to be made.
Ongoing Challenges and Criticism
So far, the Trump administration has only sent weapons authorized by former President Joe Biden, a strong supporter of Ukraine. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the new arms deal.
Despite pledging to swiftly end the war, Trump has made little progress months into his presidency. He has occasionally criticized US spending on Ukraine’s defense and has expressed admiration for Russia. However, he has also voiced support for Kyiv and shown disappointment in Russian leadership.
