Trump Reverses Course on Ukraine, Promises More Arms Amid Rising Tensions

After several days of deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine, Donald Trump announces the decision to supply more defensive weapons to support Ukraine's defense efforts. This shift follows a temporary halt of critical arms shipments from the US, raising concerns over Ukraine's ability to fend off escalating conflict.

In a dramatic change of stance, former President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will be sending additional arms to Ukraine despite a recent pause in military shipments. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions, describing Ukraine as being "hit very hard" and stressing the need for increased support.

The decision to pause shipments included critical defense items such as Patriot air defense missiles and precision artillery shells. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had urged the US to continue its support, calling the Patriot systems "real protectors of life." The White House attributed the pause to a review of military support prioritizing “America's interests,” raising concerns in Kyiv regarding its defense capabilities amidst intensified Russian assaults.

In light of ongoing attacks, Trump declared, "We're going to send some more weapons... They're getting hit very hard now." His remarks were coupled with the Pentagon's announcement that, acting on his directive, additional defensive weaponry would be sent to bolster Ukraine's defenses while the US seeks a lasting peace.

This announcement brings a sigh of relief to Ukrainian officials who warned that the halt in US arms supplies jeopardized their ability to respond to escalating airstrikes and Russian advancements. Zelensky noted a positive discussion with Trump regarding air defense systems, indicating a collaborative effort to enhance protection for Ukrainian skies.

As the conflict in Ukraine enters a fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, previous ceasefire negotiations have proven largely unsuccessful. Trump's recent communication with Putin yielded no meaningful progress toward ending hostilities, leading to an uptick in Russian attacks, which included a record number of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv and nearby regions just days after their discussion.

In response to the increasing aggression from Moscow, Zelensky is calling upon international allies, particularly the US, to heighten pressures against Russia and impose stricter sanctions.