On July 10, White House sources revealed that Trump will use his Presidential authority for the first time of his second term to send weapons to Ukraine as it defends itself against a full-scale Russian invasion.
More than three years after Russia’s invasion of its neighbor, Trump’s team will identify arms from U.S. stockpiles to send to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, the sources said, with one saying they could be worth around $300 million.
Reuters
The $300 million is a fraction of the $3.86 billion worth of Drawdown remaining that is designated for Ukraine. Patriot systems and GMLRS mobile rocket artillery will likely be included in the fresh tranche of aid.
This reversal is the latest of many regarding Trump’s stance on Ukraine. From giving Javelin anti-tank missiles in 2017 to illegally withholding military aid to the country after it refused to engage in a 2019 quid pro quo regarding compromising material on former President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, only to release the aid later, Trump has been inconsistent on his military support to Ukraine. In February, a verbal altercation in which Trump and JD Vance berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky threw all future aid into doubt.
Trump’s recent change of mind is a result of his realization that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who started the war in 2014 by invading and illegally annexing Crimea, is the most significant and only impediment to peace. In this regard, Putin is the greatest obstacle to Trump obtaining a Nobel Peace Prize. Trump has been fascinated with receiving the coveted accolade.
