Trump Reverses Course, Restores Ukraine Aid and Promises More Defensive Weapons

President Donald Trump announced a renewed commitment to supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine on Monday, reversing a brief pause in military aid. This announcement followed a temporary halt to some deliveries of military supplies by the White House. Trump stated that the U.S. would send more weapons, emphasizing Ukraine’s need for self-defense. This decision comes after a review of U.S. military spending and foreign aid, with the administration prioritizing ‘America’s interests.’ Discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky preceded the decision. Trump described his call with Putin as unproductive but characterized his conversation with Zelensky as positive. The move to increase aid aligns with Zelensky’s pleas for stronger air defenses amidst escalating Russian attacks. The U.S. has been the largest military donor to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.