US President Donald Trump is sending a fresh weapons tranche to Ukraine, drawing from Pentagon stockpiles, reports citing sources familiar with the matter said. This is the first time that Trump will be using his authority to directly send weapons to Ukraine, though he said he wants a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine crisis.
So far, the aid delivered to Ukraine was ordered by the former president, Joe Biden; meanwhile, the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) allows Trump to supply arms to Ukraine as the situation is rapidly evolving after the Russian counteroffensive in the northeast and South of Ukraine The new tranche from Trump could reportedly be worth approximately $300 million and may include Patriot anti-air missiles and offensive medium-range rockets.
The move would see the Pentagon backtracking from its earlier decision, when it had decided to cut weapons aid to Ukraine for showing reluctance in negotiating the crisis with Russia. Pentagon Chief Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, a long-time critic of extensive aid to Ukraine, had ordered a pause without consulting Donald Trump. Earlier this week, Trump said he would send the latest tranche to Ukraine because “Ukraine was getting hit hard by the Russian attacks, and they needed it the most.”
Meanwhile, when asked about how Washington is moving away from its stated position, State Secretary Marco Rubio tried to whitewash media reports as an “Unfortunate mischaracterisation of the words.” Weapon supplies remain critical as Ukrainian forces continue to lose ground to Russia and face increasing difficulties replenishing their ranks with new conscripts.
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