Trump Approves US$300 Million Weapon Shipment to Ukraine

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US President Donald Trump is preparing to send weapons directly to Ukraine, marking the first time he will personally exercise his authority to do so.

According to a report from Russia Today, Trump plans to draw the weapons from Pentagon stockpiles. Until now, his administration had only delivered weapons approved under former President Joe Biden. Through the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), Trump is able to authorize emergency arms transfers to Ukraine.

The latest planned shipment is estimated to be worth around US$300 million. The package is expected to include Patriot air defense missiles and medium-range tactical rockets.

This move would reverse a recent Pentagon decision to pause certain arms deliveries due to concerns about the depletion of US military reserves.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly ordered the suspension of shipments without first consulting President Trump. Hegseth has expressed long-standing doubts about expanding aid to Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Trump confirmed that he would move forward with additional arms deliveries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also commented on the situation, saying the suspension had been misunderstood.

During his election campaign, Trump had criticized Biden’s approach to Ukraine, accusing him of offering unconditional support.

He even referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "the world’s greatest salesman" for convincing Democrats to keep sending weapons.

Weapons remain a critical need for Ukraine as its forces continue to lose ground in their conflict with Russia. Ukrainian officials are also struggling to find enough conscripted soldiers to reinforce their front lines.

The Kremlin has warned that foreign arms deliveries will not alter Russia’s objectives. Last month, President Vladimir Putin restated that Moscow views Western military support for Ukraine as direct involvement in the war.

As reported by Al Arabiya, the United States still has US$3.86 billion available under the Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine. The most recent drawdown was a US$500 million package authorized by President Biden on January 9.

Ukraine’s highest priorities include Patriot missile interceptors and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) artillery. These weapons, already positioned in Europe, could reach the battlefield within days.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration paused several key arms shipments that had previously been approved by Biden. Some of those deliveries have since resumed.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Congress has approved nearly US$175 billion in aid and military assistance for Ukraine and allied countries over the past three and a half years.

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