Following his return to the office, US President Donald Trump, in a first, will employ presidential authority to ship arms to Ukraine, indicating increased interest in advancing the defence of the country, Reuters reported, citing sources.
$300 Million in Weapons to Be Delivered from US Stockpiles
Trump is going to deliver weapons valued at approximately $300 million to Ukraine by tapping US inventories under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, the report added.
The US President on Tuesday announced that America would provide additional weapons to Ukraine to enable the nation to defend itself against mounting Russian movements.
Possible Inclusions: Patriot Missiles and Medium-Range Rockets
The forthcoming package may contain defensive Patriot missiles and offensive medium-range rockets, although a final determination of the equipment is yet to be made, according to sources who spoke with the news agency. One source indicated that the decision is likely to be made in a meeting scheduled for Thursday.
So far, the Trump administration has only maintained deliveries of arms approved by former President Joe Biden, a strong ally of Kyiv. The Presidential Drawdown Authority permits the president to equip allies with weapons from current US stockpiles in case of emergencies.
No Immediate Comment from Pentagon or White House
The Pentagon and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the report said.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine has evolved throughout his time in office. While he has been critical of US military expenditure and has held positive views of Russia, he has also at times been a vocal supporter of Kyiv and a critic of the Kremlin.
Over $3.8 Billion Still Available for Ukraine Under Drawdown Authority
The United States currently has $3.86 billion left in funds available under the Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine. The last drawdown, worth $500 million, was endorsed by Biden on January 9.
Among the most urgent needs of Ukraine are Patriot missile interceptors and GMLRS mobile rocket launchers. Those weapons could be included in the next aid package and be delivered to the front lines within days, since many are already pre-positioned in Europe.
Some Previously Suspended Shipments Now Resumed
Earlier this month, the Trump administration suspended shipping some of the critical weapons authorized by Biden. But some of those shipments have resumed since then.
Since Russia’s invasion almost three and a half years ago, Congress has authorized nearly $175 billion worth of aid and security assistance for Ukraine and its allies.
