Trump Pledges Increased Military Support for Ukraine Despite Initial Shipment Pause

In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump expressed concern about Russia's actions and outlined plans to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities.

Former President Donald Trump has vowed to bolster military support for Ukraine following a recent halt in U.S. arms shipments. This commitment arose during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Trump voiced his displeasure regarding Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's deteriorating situation, emphasizing that the nation was "getting hit very hard."

Last week, the U.S. had temporarily paused critical shipments, including Patriot air defense missiles and precision artillery shells. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had urgently requested these shipments, labeling the Patriot systems as "real protectors of life." The White House explained that the pause was a strategic decision aimed at prioritizing American interests based on a defense review of military support to allies.

Trump's newfound stance comes amid a surge of deadly Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, particularly in Kyiv, where one recent strike resulted in a third fatality. He affirmed the need for Kyiv to defend itself, stating, "We're going to send some more weapons. We have to... They're getting hit very hard now."

The Pentagon confirmed that additional defensive weapons would indeed be sent to Ukraine under Trump's direction, stressing the importance of ensuring that the Ukrainian forces can protect themselves while also working toward a sustainable peace.

Experts noted that this renewed military support delivers relief to Ukraine's government, which had expressed concern that the initial pause in shipments would hinder its defense capabilities amid rising airstrikes and Russian advances. Zelensky mentioned that he had a recent discussion with Trump about enhancing air defense measures.

The conflict, which has been ongoing for over three years following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has seen stalled ceasefire negotiations despite Trump's interventions. After a call with Putin, he stated no significant progress had been made, mentioning, "I don't think he's looking to stop." The war escalated further after Ukraine reported an attack where Russia fired a record number of drones and missiles targeting multiple regions, including Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk, alongside Kyiv. Zelensky has since urged international partners, particularly the U.S., to ramp up sanctions on Moscow to apply greater pressure.