President Donald Trump has ordered additional U.S. weapons to be sent to Ukraine, including Patriot missile interceptors, reversing a temporary pause in arms shipments amid growing Russian aggression and diplomatic friction with NATO allies. The shift follows what Trump described as a disappointing phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a friendlier exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"We're going to send some more weapons," Trump said Monday night during a White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "They have to be able to defend themselves."
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the decision, stating, "At President Trump's direction, the Department of Defense will send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while we work to secure a lasting peace."
The new directive comes just days after Trump froze a planned shipment of weapons to reassess U.S. stockpiles, including critical Patriot missile systems. Two sources briefed on Trump's call with Zelensky said the president agreed to send 10 Patriot interceptors immediately-fewer than originally promised-and pledged to help identify additional supply sources. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly exploring Patriot battery availability in Germany and Greece.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz had urged Trump last week to release the paused shipment and offered to purchase Patriot systems from the U.S. for Ukrainian use. According to three sources familiar with their conversation, Trump suggested Germany sell one of its own Patriot batteries to Ukraine, with the U.S. and European allies splitting the cost. While no deal was finalized, talks are continuing.
"There is only one recipe to stop these threats: weapons and strength-alongside economic strikes against Russia and its allies," said Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelensky. "The cure for Russian terrorism is American weapons, combined with European and Ukrainian firepower."
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia's Security Council, mocked Trump's evolving position in a Telegram post Tuesday: "The American is once again riding his favorite political seesaw... 'We're not supplying new weapons to Ukraine.' 'We'll supply lots of weapons to Ukraine for defense.'"
Trump's frustration with Putin reportedly intensified after the Russian leader launched a massive air strike on Ukraine shortly after a tense phone call with the U.S. president. Aides say Trump's recent interactions with Zelensky, including a face-to-face meeting at a NATO summit in The Hague, have been more productive.
"They [Ukrainians] should feel better than they have at any point during the Trump presidency," said a source familiar with the discussions. "Putin was a jerk."
Still, concerns remain within the Trump administration over depleting U.S. munitions. "Getting a Patriot missile isn't like going to Walmart and picking 10 off the shelf and going home," one Trump adviser told Axios.
Trump, who previously stated, "this isn't my war," appears to be recalibrating his stance under pressure from both foreign leaders and mounting battlefield casualties. His envoy, Keith Kellogg, is expected to meet with Zelensky's team in Rome this week for further talks on future arms commitments.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscow's conditions for a peace deal, including Ukrainian neutrality, recognition of occupied territories, and the lifting of international sanctions. "These provisions must be included in a legally binding agreement for peaceful settlement," Lavrov said Monday.
