Trump Flip-Flops on Sending Weapons to Ukraine

Days after the United States decided to pause key arms shipments to Ukraine, President Donald Trump reversed the decision, pledging to send additional military aid to help Kyiv defend itself from a surge in Russian attacks. Knewz.com has learned that the Pentagon has confirmed the United States’ intention to send additional weapons to aid the embattled country.

‘Ukraine Has to Be Able to Defend Themselves’

Trump made the promise during a statement to reporters during a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The President said that Ukraine was “getting hit very, very hard.” He added that the country has “to be able to defend themselves.” Noted the former reality star in a statement, “We’re going to have to send more weapons, defensive weapons primarily.” The announcement marks a sudden policy shift towards Ukraine and comes amid intensifying Russian strikes on the nation. The Pentagon quickly confirmed President Trump’s comments, as Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesperson, said, “The Department of Defense is sending additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure the killing stops.”

Trump Reverses Course Days After Halting Ukraine Arms Shipments

President Trump’s promises came a few days after the U.S. halted deliveries of key military hardware, including air defense systems and precision-guided artillery, to Ukraine. “Sources familiar with the matter said the halted shipments of American military aid to Ukraine could resume after a series of high-level meetings in Italy and Ukraine over the coming week,” reports have mentioned. The halted shipment of arms included PAC-3 interceptors for Patriot air defense systems, Stinger man-portable air defense missiles, AIM air-to-air missiles for Ukraine’s F-16s, NASAMS launchers, recoilless AT4 anti-tank weapons and ammunition for guided multiple launch rocket systems. Trump said in a statement to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he was not responsible for the halt in weapons deliveries to Kyiv.

Trump Distances Himself from Halted Shipments

While the president acknowledged ordering a review of Pentagon stockpiles following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, he reportedly told President Zelensky that he had not instructed the Department of Defense to suspend aid to Ukraine. The decision, according to reports, was made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had not previously coordinated the move with Congress or the State Department. It was reported that the aid pause “blindsided” Congress, the State Department and US allies. Reports also mentioned that analysis showed that the aid to Ukraine would not compromise Washington’s own ammunition supplies.

Trump Shifts Rhetoric Towards Putin

President Trump, who has usually boasted of his friendly relationship with Vladimir Putin, has recently changed gears in his rhetoric towards the Russian president, saying, “I’m not happy with President Putin at all.” Trump has been skeptical of sending military aid to Ukraine, unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, whose presidency pledged $65 billion in military aid to the war-torn nation. This is also the first time President Trump announced a military package to Ukraine since he took office in January 2025 Trump’s shift in rhetoric came as Russia amped up its bombardment of Ukraine in recent months. It has been reported that earlier in July, Moscow had launched more than 1,200 drones, 39 missiles and nearly 1,000 glide bombs, reportedly targeting civilian infrastructure. “I’m stopping wars and I hate to see people killed,” Trump said in a recent statement.

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