Trump Aides to Dive Into Ukraine Arms Discussions Tuesday Following President’s Commitment to Resume Shipments | CNN Politics

Members of President Trump’s national security team are set to discuss plans for sending weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles. This comes after Trump expressed his commitment to providing defensive support to the country. He stated, “We have to send more weapons. They need to defend themselves.”

This shift in stance is significant. Just last week, a White House official mentioned a pause on certain shipments, including those crucial air defense missiles. The decision to pause came after a review of military spending under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, with the intention of prioritizing American interests.

Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, mentioned that the pause aimed to ensure the U.S. was putting its own interests first. This included withholding the Patriots, the only system that can intercept specific Russian missiles that have heavily targeted Ukraine.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump claimed ignorance about who ordered the pause, insisting he authorized new weapon shipments to help Ukraine. Discussions about supplying more Patriots to Ukraine have been ongoing, especially after Trump’s recent calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Research from the Atlantic Council indicates that Ukraine has received over $30 billion in military aid from the U.S. since Russia’s invasion began in earnest in 2022. As the conflict continues, the dynamics of support are crucial. Trump, in his talks with foreign leaders, highlighted the need for European nations to aid in supplying Ukraine.

U.S. officials have suggested that the overall review of aid was also influenced by a focus on potential threats from China, according to Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby. He remarked, “The Department of Defense continues to provide robust options while examining its approach to support Ukraine.”

The Kremlin has responded cautiously, downplaying the significance of the U.S. arms delivery dynamics. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated there’s no clear evidence that shipments have fully stopped, despite mixed messaging from Washington.

In the backdrop, Zelensky has been vocal about needing stronger aerial defenses, particularly as Russian drone attacks escalate. Recent statistics show a surge in these attacks, raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to defend its airspace effectively.

As talks continue, Trump’s administration is looking to ramp up defense production to better support Ukraine, amid rising tensions and ongoing conflict. The situation remains fluid, and the international community is watching closely for further developments.



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