Washington, D.C.: In a significant shift, US President Donald Trump is preparing to send $300 million worth of weapons to Ukraine, marking his first use of the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) since returning to the White House, Reuters reported, citing multiple sources.
This move signals a renewed interest from Trump in supporting Ukraine’s defense amid intensifying Russian offensives. The arms package would come from existing US military stockpiles and is expected to include Patriot missile interceptors and GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) medium-range rockets, according to insiders familiar with the discussions.
A final decision is expected following a high-level meeting on Thursday.
“America will send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances,” Trump said on Tuesday.
Until now, the Trump administration had only continued the previously approved shipments initiated by former President Joe Biden, who was a staunch backer of Kyiv. The PDA enables the president to bypass Congressional approval in emergencies by transferring weapons from US reserves to allies.
💰 $3.86 Billion in PDA Funds Remain
According to Pentagon figures, the US currently has $3.86 billion remaining under the PDA for Ukraine. The last drawdown, worth $500 million, was approved by President Biden on January 9.
The expected military aid could reach Ukrainian front lines quickly, as much of the hardware is already pre-positioned in Europe.
Though both the Pentagon and the White House have yet to comment publicly on the development, officials expect an announcement soon.
🔁 Trump’s Changing Stance on Ukraine
President Trump’s approach to the Ukraine conflict has been inconsistent. While he has previously criticised military spending and expressed admiration for Russia, he has also voiced support for Ukraine and condemned Kremlin actions on various occasions.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration paused the delivery of certain weapons packages authorized during Biden’s presidency. Some of those deliveries have since resumed.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than three and a half years ago, the US Congress has approved approximately $175 billion in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and its regional allies.