US President Cites Need for Defense as Russia Gains Ground in Central Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine, reversing a previous decision to pause some arms shipments that had drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv and its allies.
Speaking ahead of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump told reporters that Ukraine “has to be able to defend itself,” describing the situation on the ground as dire. “They are getting hit very hard now,” he said, confirming that the new aid package would consist primarily of defensive weaponry.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell echoed Trump’s remarks later in the day, stating that the U.S. would provide “additional defensive weapons” aimed at protecting Ukrainian forces and supporting diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Parnell emphasized that all future military support would be aligned with “America First defense priorities.”
The announcement follows recent Russian advances, including the capture of Dachne, a village in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. The fall of the village marks a significant step in Russia’s ongoing push to secure central Ukrainian territory.
Just last week, the Pentagon had temporarily halted shipments of certain key systems—including air defense missiles and precision-guided artillery—citing concerns over dwindling stockpiles. That decision sparked worry in Kyiv as Ukraine faces intensified Russian offensives.
In a phone call with Trump on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the two leaders agreed to work closely on bolstering Ukraine’s air defense systems. “We spoke about opportunities in air defence and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
As the war grinds on, the renewed U.S. commitment may offer a timely boost to Ukraine’s defenses—though challenges remain in balancing international support with domestic military readiness.