President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will resume supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine, citing Russia’s renewed aggression and the failure of diplomatic efforts to end the war. The announcement, made during a White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marks a sharp pivot from Trump’s earlier attempts to freeze arms transfers in hopes of brokering a peace deal.

“We have to,” Trump told reporters. “They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard. Now they are getting hit very hard.”

From Pause to Action: A Shift in U.S. Posture

Trump’s renewed commitment to Ukrainian defense follows a period of internal U.S. confusion and geopolitical recalibration. Reports last week revealed the Pentagon had paused a shipment of weapons intended for Ukraine, prompting criticism from Kyiv and surprise within the State Department and U.S. Congress.

White House officials confirmed that the pause was linked to a broader Pentagon review of American munitions stockpiles, initiated after Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June—a move that drew global attention and disrupted military logistics.

Despite speculation that the Trump administration had deprioritized Ukraine, the president clarified in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday that he had not ordered the freeze himself. According to aides, Trump blamed logistical reviews rather than political decisions and assured Zelensky that “the U.S. will send as much as we can spare.”

Pentagon Confirms New Aid Package

In a statement late Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the president’s directive: “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.”

The military aid package reportedly includes:

• Patriot interceptors – essential for countering Russia’s ballistic missile threats.
• AIM-120 missiles – used in air defense systems.
• AGM-114 Hellfires – precision missiles for air-to-ground targeting.
• GMLRS missiles – for HIMARS rocket launchers.
• Stinger antitank missiles and grenade launchers – for mobile and urban defense.

The White House National Security Council is expected to meet Tuesday to finalize the specifics of the new shipment.

Escalation on the Ground

The decision comes amid a sharp escalation of violence in Ukraine. Following Trump’s unsuccessful call with Putin on Thursday, in which the U.S. president expressed “disappointment” over Moscow’s refusal to pursue peace, Russian forces launched their largest missile and drone assault of the war. The Ukrainian Air Force reported massive barrages on Kyiv and other cities.

Trump admitted to frustration with Russia’s refusal to compromise: “I’m disappointed, frankly, that President Putin hasn’t stopped,” he said Monday night.

In contrast, the call with Zelensky was described by the Ukrainian leader as “maximally productive.” In his July 5 evening address, Zelensky said, “This was probably the best conversation in all this time. I am grateful for the readiness to help.”

Political and Strategic Context

The resumption of aid also comes amid domestic and international scrutiny. The Biden administration’s last significant weapons package, issued on December 30, 2024, totaled $1.22 billion and included advanced air defense systems. Since the start of the war in 2022, the U.S. has provided nearly $67 billion in military support to Ukraine.

Critics say the pause sent the wrong message at a critical time. David Shimer, former NSC Ukraine portfolio lead under Biden, argued that “lifting the pause is just a necessary first step. Now is the time for this administration to go further.”

There is also increasing pressure on the Trump administration to seek congressional approval for further arms transfers and to allow European allies to purchase American-made weapons systems like Patriots to fill Ukraine’s growing demand.

U.S. Strategic Balancing Act

Trump acknowledged the challenges of balancing domestic and allied defense needs. “They [Ukraine] do want to have the antimissile missiles, as they call the Patriots, and we’re going to see if we can make some available,” he said. “They are very hard to get—we need them, too.”

The president’s public shift suggests an emerging willingness to continue military aid to Ukraine even as he seeks diplomatic breakthroughs elsewhere, such as upcoming U.S.–Iran nuclear talks in Oslo and ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

Trump’s recalibrated stance signals that while he continues to seek an end to the war through negotiation, his administration will not allow Ukraine’s defenses to collapse in the interim.