U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to send weapons to Ukraine following his return to office, using his presidential powers. This information was provided by sources from Reuters familiar with the decision.
According to Reuters, Trump's team has already selected weapons from U.S. warehouses to be sent to Ukraine using the Presidential Drawdown Authority. According to one source, the cost of this package could reach around $300 million.
"The U.S. will send more weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against increased Russian offensives," Trump said on Tuesday.
This package may likely include Patriot defensive missiles and medium-range offensive missiles. However, the final decision on specific equipment has not yet been made and will be announced at the next meeting.
Preliminary information suggests that there remain $3.86 billion in the U.S. under the Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine. These powers were last used on January 9, when Biden allocated a package of $500 million.
Patriot missile interceptors and mobile GMLRS rocket artillery may become priorities for Ukraine in this package, which could reach the front lines within a couple of days, as the weapons are stored in Europe.
With the Presidential Drawdown Authority, U.S. President Donald Trump plans to send weapons to Ukraine to help the country strengthen its defense against potential threats. This could significantly bolster Ukraine's position in the context of its conflict with Russia and represent a landmark step in Western support for the country.