MWE Correspondent
President Donald Trump on Monday evening authorized the delivery of additional weapons to Ukraine, amid mounting Russian drone and missile attacks that have devastated cities and pushed the war into a darker phase.
“We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves,” Trump told reporters at the White House, signaling a shift after weeks of policy uncertainty that had drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle.
The announcement followed a particularly intense barrage over the weekend, in which Russian forces reportedly launched over 700 drones and dozens of cruise missiles at key Ukrainian targets, including power stations and hospitals.
Trump’s statement comes after growing domestic and international pressure to reinforce Ukraine’s defenses. Prior to this, reports indicated that his administration had quietly paused certain shipments, sparking backlash from Ukrainian leaders and members of U.S. Congress who feared a weakening of Western resolve.
The change of tone may also reflect rising concern within the Pentagon about Russia’s increasing reliance on Iranian-made Shahed drones and longer-range strike capabilities.
According to officials, Ukraine is expected to receive air-defense systems, HIMARS, and additional Javelin missiles to help repel the new wave of aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the announcement by emphasizing the urgency of deliveries.
“We need the weapons now—not next month, not next quarter,” Zelenskyy said via Telegram. He added that Ukrainian and U.S. military teams were coordinating closely to prioritize key defense needs, particularly in cities like Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.
Zelenskyy has long called for faster action from allies, citing the toll on civilians and infrastructure. He also thanked American citizens for their continued support of Ukrainian sovereignty, referring to the U.S. as a “pillar of freedom” in Europe’s darkest hour.
Trump, who has previously drawn scrutiny for his cautious tone on Vladimir Putin, appeared more forceful in his latest remarks.
“I was being very nice to him. It turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said, describing Putin’s negotiating posture as “dishonest.” The President added that his administration is reviewing a Senate-backed sanctions bill that could place up to 500% tariffs on any country doing oil or uranium trade with Russia.
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The proposal, led by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, is being fast-tracked through bipartisan channels.
Meanwhile, the latest attacks have left a growing number of casualties. Ukrainian officials confirmed that at least 30 people, including children, were killed in strikes on residential areas and a hospital in Dnipro. Entire neighborhoods were left without power as drones buzzed overhead, drawing comparisons to the darkest days of the 2022 invasion.
Videos circulated online showed rescue workers digging through rubble, and civilians taking shelter in metro stations across Kyiv.
This development may alter the course of the war and the wider NATO response ahead of the upcoming 2025 NATO Summit. European leaders are expected to endorse further aid, and there is speculation that NATO may consider expedited membership for Ukraine—a move that would carry major geopolitical weight.
Meanwhile, analysts warn that Putin may escalate further in response to renewed U.S. involvement.
“This war has entered a dangerous new phase,” said Fiona Hill, a former White House advisor on Russia. “What Trump does now will define his legacy—and could decide the fate of Ukraine.”
