President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States would begin supplying weapons to Ukraine through NATO, marking a significant shift in policy as the conflict with Russia intensifies. He also said he would deliver a major statement on Russia next Monday, amid growing frustration over the lack of progress in ending the war.
“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100%,” Trump told NBC News, explaining that NATO would handle distribution to Ukraine. “NATO is going to reimburse the full cost of those weapons,” he added.
As reported in Reuters, sources familiar with the decision said this marks the first time since returning to office that Trump will send weapons to Kyiv using the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the transfer of arms from U.S. stockpiles in emergencies. The package, potentially worth around $300 million, may include Patriot missiles and medium-range offensive rockets, though final decisions on the specific equipment are still pending.
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian service personnel use a searchlight as they search for drones in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 6, 2025. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo
The announcement comes as Ukraine endures relentless Russian drone and missile strikes. On Thursday alone, around 400 drones and 18 missiles were launched, targeting the capital and other regions. National emergency services reported at least two dead and 26 injured. Kyiv suffered widespread damage, including fires in residential buildings and streets littered with debris from intercepted projectiles.
Zelenskiy condemned the attacks as “nightly terror” and urged the international community to act.
While Trump has often criticized U.S. military spending on Ukraine and has at times spoken positively of Russia, his administration now appears to be recalibrating its approach. Despite earlier pledges to end the war quickly, little progress has been made.
In Rome, an international conference on Ukraine’s recovery concluded with over $12 billion in pledges. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the commitments include 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion) from the European Commission. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on allies to invest in defence, reconstruction, and joint production while urging more aggressive use of frozen Russian assets to fund recovery.
As diplomatic and military efforts intensify, Trump’s forthcoming statement on Russia is expected to set the tone for the next phase of U.S. involvement in the conflict.