President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States will send additional weapons to Ukraine, just days after the White House had unexpectedly paused some arms shipments—a move that left Kyiv scrambling amid one of Russia’s most aggressive attacks in months.
“They’re getting hit very, very hard,” Trump said at the White House. “We’re going to have to send more weapons — defensive weapons primarily.”
The announcement comes as Russia claimed new ground in Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region, a key industrial area, and unleashed a wave of drone and missile strikes, including direct hits on Ukrainian military recruitment centers.
Sudden Policy Shift After Delay in Arms Deliveries
Trump’s pledge marked a significant reversal from last week, when Washington suspended shipments of certain promised military supplies. Ukrainian officials were caught off guard and pressed U.S. counterparts for clarification.
That delay sparked concern in Kyiv, which has been under intense bombardment as the war enters its fourth year. Ukrainian leaders say that U.S. weapons remain crucial to holding back Russian forces, especially as Putin’s troops intensify operations in contested regions.
Russia Claims First Village in Dnipropetrovsk
Earlier Monday, Moscow claimed its forces had seized the village of Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk—marking what it says is the first capture in that region since launching a new push there. The move could threaten Ukrainian logistics and industrial operations if Russia advances deeper into the area.
While Ukrainian officials denied any Russian foothold, they acknowledged that fighting near Dachne is ongoing. “Our troops are holding their ground quite steadily,” said military analyst Oleksiy Kopytko, describing the situation as “difficult” but not yet critical.
Drone War Escalates as Kyiv Strikes Russian Factory
As Russia stepped up its attacks, Ukraine launched a drone strike targeting a Russian ammunition factory near Moscow. Explosions were also reported in Mykolaiv, a southern Ukrainian city, where a fire broke out and a 51-year-old man was injured during shelling, regional officials said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that air defense remains Ukraine’s top priority and urged allies to follow through on existing agreements: “We are counting on partners to fully deliver on what we have agreed.”
Trump Pushes Peace Talks, Putin Rejects Ceasefire
Since returning to office, Trump has not announced any new large-scale military aid packages for Ukraine, unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, who committed over $65 billion in support. Instead, Trump has sought to push both sides toward peace talks, including in phone calls with Vladimir Putin—efforts that have so far failed.
Putin has dismissed calls for a ceasefire, demanding that Ukraine surrender more territory as a precondition for any settlement.
What’s Next?
The White House said Trump would sign an executive order later Monday to formally delay the July 9 weapons cutoff to August 1, giving more time for aid to flow and for diplomatic pressure to continue.
But as Russia ramps up military pressure and Ukraine calls for air defense reinforcements, the road ahead appears as uncertain as ever—both militarily and politically.
