Trump Announces Resumption of US Weapons Shipments to Ukraine
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In a significant policy shift, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will resume sending weapons to Ukraine, following a recent pause in critical arms shipments. The announcement came during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing aggression, stating that Ukraine is "getting hit very hard."
Speaking at a news conference, Trump emphasized the need for Ukraine to defend itself, particularly with "defensive weapons," in response to intensified Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. The decision follows a week of uncertainty after the White House cited a defense department review prioritizing "America's interests first," which led to a temporary halt in shipments of key armaments like Patriot air defense missiles and precision artillery shells. The Pentagon issued a statement confirming that, under Trump's direction, additional defensive weapons will be sent to Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities and work toward a lasting peace. The move has been welcomed in Kyiv, where officials had warned that the pause could weaken Ukraine's ability to counter Russian airstrikes and frontline advances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently discussed air defense cooperation with Trump, has been vocal about the need for continued international support. The war, now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has seen escalating Russian attacks, including a record 539 drones and 11 missiles launched on Kyiv and other regions last week. Ceasefire talks, including recent efforts by Trump to mediate, have made little progress, with the US president noting that Putin appears unwilling to halt the conflict. Zelensky continues to urge allies to increase pressure on Moscow through stronger sanctions and sustained military support to protect Ukrainian lives and infrastructure.