US President Donald Trump is set to exercise his authority for the first time to dispatch weapons directly to Ukraine, drawing from the Pentagon’s stockpiles, according to sources familiar with the matter. This decision marks a departure from the previous policy where the Trump administration only sent weapons initially approved by former President Joe Biden. Utilizing the Presidential Drawdown Authority, Trump aims to provide arms to Ukraine in urgent situations. The impending delivery, valued at approximately $300 million, is expected to include Patriot surface-to-air missiles and medium-range rockets.
This initiative represents a shift from the Pentagon’s earlier decision to suspend certain deliveries due to concerns about domestic stockpile levels. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has previously expressed doubts about increasing aid to Kiev, allegedly ordered the suspension without Trump’s knowledge. Trump recently announced his intention to augment arms shipments to Ukraine, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the prior halt had been misinterpreted. Throughout his campaign, Trump criticized Biden’s policies on unconditional aid to Ukraine and remarked on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s ability to secure ongoing support from Democrats.
As Ukrainian forces struggle against Russian advances and face recruitment challenges, weapons shipments are crucial. The Kremlin, however, insists that foreign weapon supplies will not thwart its aims. Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Western nations supplying weapons to Ukraine are effectively participating in the conflict.
