Sources quoted by RT said the new aid package could be aimed at sending a message to Russia, after Ukraine has suffered multiple drone and missile airstrikes in recent days. Russia insists its attacks are aimed at military-related facilities alone.
President Trump could use the remaining $3.85 billion from the arms withdrawal authority left by the previous administration, or could also take about $2 billion from frozen Russian assets to hand over to Ukraine. However, both Trump and former President Joe Biden have never used this second option.
In a recent speech, President Trump said he was " dissatisfied" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although the two leaders have had many exchanges and Mr. Putin has been very friendly, according to Mr. Trump, that has not brought about clear progress in achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine.
On July 7, Mr. Trump announced that the US would "send some more weapons" to Kiev, mainly "defending weapons".
The Pentagon has previously suspended several arms transfers, including patriot anti-aircraft missiles, due to concerns about depleted US weapons reserves. The suspension is believed to have been ordered by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth without consulting the President or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, the suspension was later lifted and shipments continued to be carried out.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was clear that the US continued to supply weapons to Ukraine and that these actions did not help towards a peaceful solution. Moscow warned that military aid from the West only prolonged the conflict without changing the outcome.
