Trump Plans to Use Presidential Authority to Send More Weapons to Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 10, 2025 — President Donald Trump plans to authorize a fresh delivery of U.S. weapons to Ukraine by using his executive powers under a foreign assistance statute, according to Reuters, citing two officials familiar with the matter.

Why it matters

The move signals a strategic pivot by the Trump administration toward directly bolstering Ukraine’s defenses after months of relying on previously approved arms shipments authorized by former President Joe Biden. This comes amid reports of intensified Russian advances in eastern Ukraine.

Driving the news

• Trump is expected to invoke the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), a legal mechanism that allows the U.S. president to quickly transfer weapons from existing Department of Defense stockpiles to allies in emergency situations.
• The package under discussion may be worth approximately $300 million, according to one of the sources.
• While the specific contents have not yet been finalized, the aid could include Patriot air defense missiles and medium-range offensive rockets, both of which are vital to counter Russia’s latest wave of drone and missile strikes.

What they’re saying

President Trump announced Tuesday that his administration would soon deliver a new round of weapons to Kyiv, stating the goal is to “help Ukraine defend itself more effectively against Russian aggression.”

Between the lines

This would mark the first time Trump is using his own executive authority to send new aid to Ukraine, after months of relying on weapons already authorized by the Biden administration. The move also comes ahead of a key meeting on Thursday, where final decisions on the aid contents are expected.

Context

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the U.S. has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance, but recent aid has slowed due to shifting political priorities in Washington.

The PDA was used extensively during Biden’s presidency to send rapid military support. Trump’s new move may be aimed at quieting critics who argue his administration has not taken an assertive stance in defending Ukraine.

What’s next

The White House is expected to finalize the weapons list during Thursday’s internal meeting. Officials have not yet confirmed whether long-range ATACMS missiles — a key ask from Ukraine — will be included.

With inputs from Reuters.