Trump Reverses Course, Resumes Weapons Shipments to Ukraine \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Donald Trump announced renewed U.S. arms support to Ukraine after a brief Pentagon halt. Ukraine faces intensified Russian drone and missile attacks, sparking urgent calls for aid. Meanwhile, Russia’s transport minister was found dead after his sudden dismissal.
Quick Looks
- Trump shifts stance, resumes paused U.S. military aid to Ukraine
- Ukraine battles increased Russian drone and missile strikes
- Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit found dead after dismissal
- Zelenskyy inks drone production deals with U.S. and European firms
- U.S. weapon pause linked to global defense stock review
- Ukraine’s frontlines severely stretched as Russia escalates pressure
- GOP Senator Lindsey Graham pushes 500% tariff on Russian oil buyers
- Multiple casualties reported across Ukraine due to drone bombardments
Deep Look
President Donald J. Trump, now in his second term, has reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine militarily, marking a dramatic and sudden policy reversal. Just days after the Pentagon ordered a temporary pause on delivering critical weapons to Kyiv, citing concerns over dwindling U.S. stockpiles, President Trump declared Monday that “more weapons — defensive weapons primarily” would be sent to Ukraine immediately.
Speaking during a high-level White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump said, “We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now.” The decision to resume aid comes at a precarious moment for Ukraine, which faces relentless Russian bombardment and increased pressure across its long, overstretched front lines.
Pentagon Pause Sparks Confusion and Alarm
Last week’s suspension of U.S. arms shipments — including Patriot missile systems, GMLRS, Hellfire missiles, and 155mm Howitzer rounds — stunned Ukrainian officials and America’s European allies. The Pentagon attributed the halt to a comprehensive audit of U.S. military stockpiles, expressing concern that strategic reserves were reaching critical lows. A Pentagon spokesperson had said that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the pause as part of a “global defense review” to align outgoing military assets with U.S. strategic priorities.
However, the announcement triggered criticism both at home and abroad, with NATO partners warning that any disruption in the West’s military support could embolden Russia at a time of rising aggression. Trump’s announcement Monday now overrules that decision and appears aimed at reaffirming U.S. leadership in the face of Moscow’s escalating campaign.
Russia’s Escalation: Drones, Missiles, and Civilian Targets
In recent weeks, Russia has launched an unprecedented barrage of drone and missile attacks targeting both military and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that in the past week alone, Russian forces launched more than 1,270 drones, 39 ballistic missiles, and nearly 1,000 glide bombs.
Monday’s strikes were among the most devastating this year. At least 11 civilians were killed and more than 80 wounded, including children. Casualties were reported in key cities including Kharkiv, Odesa, Kyiv, and Sumy. Nighttime drone raids rained destruction on residential neighborhoods, and falling drone debris caused extensive damage in central Kyiv.
Russian short-range drones killed two civilians in Sumy, while in Donetsk, seven were killed and nine injured, according to regional officials. Ukraine’s Army Ground Forces reported that Russia is deliberately targeting military mobilization centers, aiming to disrupt recruitment and national defense capabilities.
Despite significant damage on the ground, Ukraine has remained resilient. President Zelenskyy has announced new defense procurement agreements with European nations and a major U.S. defense contractor to boost drone production. “Air defense is the main thing for protecting life,” he wrote on Telegram, emphasizing the need for interceptors capable of countering Russia’s Shahed drones.
Kremlin Turmoil: Transport Minister Found Dead After Dismissal
Compounding tensions inside Russia, its recently dismissed Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead on Monday in what officials described as an “apparent suicide.” Starovoit had been removed from office just hours earlier by decree from President Vladimir Putin. No cause for the dismissal was officially provided.
However, Russian media reports suggest his ousting may be tied to an investigation into embezzled state funds designated for building defensive fortifications in the Kursk region, where he previously served as governor. Insiders claim that the alleged corruption contributed to vulnerabilities that enabled a Ukrainian surprise offensive in August 2024.
His death follows a weekend of severe travel disruption in Russia, with hundreds of flights grounded in Moscow and St. Petersburg due to airspace closures amid drone threats. While the air traffic chaos has become more frequent due to ongoing Ukrainian drone raids, commentators suggest Starovoit’s downfall likely stemmed from deeper systemic failures in military logistics and corruption.
Trump’s Strategy: Balancing Military Aid and Global Leverage
President Trump’s foreign policy has long been marked by a mix of assertive rhetoric and transactional diplomacy. Though initially skeptical of continuing large-scale aid to Ukraine, Trump now appears convinced of the strategic importance of backing Kyiv to keep Russian aggression in check.
The president has refrained, for now, from introducing new sanctions on Russia’s energy sector but has publicly condemned President Putin. “I’m not happy with President Putin at all,” Trump stated Monday. Nevertheless, his administration is exploring broader economic pressure tactics.
One such move comes from Senator Lindsey Graham, who revealed that Trump has authorized legislation proposing a 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue to buy Russian oil — a move that could significantly impact China and India, two of Russia’s largest energy customers.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the temporary weapons shipment pause, reiterating that it was part of a “routine review of all global military aid programs,” aimed at ensuring that “everything going out the door aligns with America’s interests.”
Despite the confusion, Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western support. Zelenskyy said the country is adapting by ramping up domestic drone production and leveraging Western technology to maintain defense lines. Extensive use of unmanned aerial systems has become vital for Ukraine, especially as troop shortages increase pressure across the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line.
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