Donald Trump said the US will send more weapons to Ukraine after last week’s announcement that Washington would halt some of its critical weapons to Kiev.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said he was “not happy” with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and that Ukraine was “stricken very hard.”
Trump has also shown that the US will primarily send “defensive weapons” to support Ukraine’s war efforts.
Among the weapons reported to have been suspended last week were patriot air defense missiles and precision shells. Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for the continued cargo, describing the American patriot system as “the real guardian of life.”
The White House said last week that it had been decided to “put America’s interests first” in response to a Department of Defense review of military assistance to other countries.
Trump’s clear change of mind comes days after the fatal Russian drone and missile barrages in Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kiyykh. One attack on the city last Thursday claimed a third life, local officials said.
Trump said late Monday that Kiev should be able to protect himself.
“We’re going to send a little more weapons. We… they’re being hit very hard right now,” he said at a press conference with Netanyahu.
“I’m disappointed that Putin didn’t stop,” he added.
The Pentagon responded in a simple statement, saying, “At President Trump’s direction, the Pentagon will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine, allowing Ukrainians to protect themselves while they strive to ensure lasting peace and stop the killings.”
After a week of uncertainty, the US move will come as a relief to Ukraine, says Paul Adams of Kyiv’s BBC.
Kiev had warned that the move to suspend some shipments would hinder the airstrikes’ escalation and its ability to defend against Russia’s advance.
Zelensky said last week that he “talked with Trump about air defense opportunities and agreed to work together to enhance protections in the air.”
The war in Ukraine has been raging for more than three years since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The ceasefire talks also largely stalled after several attempts by Trump to mediate transactions between the two parties.
Following a call with Putin last week, Trump said there was “no progress” to end the conflict, adding that he “doesn’t think he’s trying to stop him.”
Hours after the call, Ukraine said Russia not only fired a record 539 drones and 11 missiles targeting Kiev, but also collided with the areas of Smie, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Chernikhb.
Zelensky urged international allies, particularly the United States, to raise pressure on Moscow and impose greater sanctions.
