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The Pentagon has confirmed that President Donald Trump has authorized the shipment of additional defensive weapons to Ukraine, reversing an earlier pause in aid as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities intensify.
Some shit you should know before you read: Last week, the Pentagon announced that it was halting a shipment of critical weapons to Ukraine, citing concerns over diminishing US munitions stockpiles and the need to preserve military readiness. Defense officials said the pause followed an internal review of US capabilities, which flagged certain high-precision munitions as nearing low levels. Among the items being withheld are Patriot air defense missiles, Stinger surface-to-air systems, Hellfire missiles, 155mm artillery shells, precision-guided GMLRS rockets, AIM air-to-air missiles for F-16s, and various drones (all of which are essential for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s intensifying aerial and ground assaults). Both NATO and Ukrainian officials raised immediate concerns, warning that delays in receiving these systems could significantly weaken their ability to protect civilians and infrastructure amid escalating attacks.
What’s going on now: In a notable reversal, the Pentagon confirmed that President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate resumption of defensive weapons shipments to Ukraine, just days after a surprise pause in military aid. “At President Trump’s direction, 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,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.
The announcement followed a joint appearance by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Trump acknowledged Ukraine’s dire situation and stressed the urgency of renewed support. “We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “It’s mostly defensive, but the strikes are very brutal. Too many people are dying in that slaughter.”
Trump’s directive came amid mounting frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following what Trump described as a disappointing phone call. On Capitol Hill, momentum is also building in support of Ukraine. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Trump has given him the green light to advance a bill that would impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries like China and India that continue purchasing Russian oil. The bill aims to choke off one of Russia’s last major revenue streams and send a strong message to third-party countries funding Putin’s war effort.
This all comes as Russia has ramped up its attacks on Ukraine. In the last week, Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have launched more than 1,270 drones, 39 missiles, and nearly 1,000 guided bombs in a dramatic escalation of aerial assaults. Ukrainian military leaders have stressed the importance of US support, particularly the need for Patriot air defense systems.
