In a significant shift in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, the United States will now send approximately $300 million worth of weapons to Ukraine through an emergency presidential directive. The package may include highly sought-after Patriot surface-to-air missiles as Ukraine struggles to repel intensifying Russian missile and drone attacks.
President Donald Trump has also claimed that he is unhappy with Russian President Vladimir Putin and would be sending Ukraine more defensive weapons, days after the Pentagon said it would halt some shipments as it conducted a review of U.S. military stockpiles.
“We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters during a televised cabinet meeting at the White House.
“He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
Trump also assured weapons for Ukriane and Zelensky. “We’re going to send some more weapons – we have to. They have to be able to defend themselves,” he told reporters, “They’re getting hit very hard now. They’re getting hit very hard. We’re going to have to send more weapons – your defensive weapons, primarily.”
This marks the first direct weapons package from the Trump administration, bypassing Congress by utilizing the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA)—a mechanism that allows the rapid transfer of arms from U.S. stockpiles in response to urgent security needs.
Donald Trump who had been actively looking to remove the US from the Russia Ukraine war now seems to be taking a u turned and once again getting militarily involved with Kyiv.
NATO to Fund the Package
In a strategic workaround to domestic political gridlock, the weapons will be routed through NATO’s security assistance framework. Under this arrangement, NATO will reimburse the U.S. for the full cost of the equipment, enabling Trump to approve the transfer without new congressional funding.
According to sources cited by Reuters, the package could include:
Patriot interceptor missiles, known for their effectiveness against cruise and ballistic missile threats;
Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions, which provide long-range precision strike capabilities.
Until now, the Trump administration had largely relied on previously authorized aid packages passed under President Joe Biden. This announcement reflects a shift toward more proactive support for Ukraine’s defense, coming amid escalating pressure from NATO allies and Republican lawmakers to strengthen Kyiv’s air defenses.
The U.S. decision follows a broader NATO pledge to deliver more Patriot systems and missiles, with Germany and Norway already committing to significant shipments. The Netherlands has also coordinated funding for air defense production and maintenance.
Urkraine’s Needs on the Ground
Ukraine’s demand for air defense systems has grown critical in recent months. Russian forces have intensified long-range bombardments targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Ukraine’s limited number of Patriot batteries has been stretched thin, often forced to relocate to protect high-priority areas.
This new U.S. shipment will come from existing stockpiles, meaning that delivery could take place within days, a major advantage as Ukraine braces for another round of strikes. However, U.S. defense officials warn that continued withdrawals from stockpiles could further strain the availability of critical munitions, including Hellfire missiles, Stingers, and 155mm artillery shells.
In Washington, lawmakers across party lines have been calling for increased support to Ukraine. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal both urged Trump to accelerate arms deliveries and ramp up sanctions against Russia during meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The weapons announcement also follows a global reconstruction summit in Rome, where more than €10 billion was pledged to support Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts. While financial aid and humanitarian support continue, officials stress that military assistance remains the most urgent requirement.
The exact contents of the $300 million package are expected to be finalized in the coming days, but defense analysts anticipate that both Patriots and GMLRS will be central components. U.S. forces in Europe have already pre-positioned stocks, allowing for rapid transport into Ukraine.
With about $3.86 billion still available under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, further aid packages could follow depending on battlefield developments and international coordination through NATO.
President Trump’s approval of this emergency weapons transfer—anchored by possible Patriot missile shipments—signals a renewed U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s defense and once again pit the NATO alliance and US against Russia and Putin.