After a prolonged period characterized by White House skepticism toward Kyiv and a seemingly friendlier stance toward Moscow, President Donald Trump and prominent Republicans have made a significant policy shift. The White House is now preparing to send additional weaponry to Ukraine, while Congress is advancing plans for stringent new sanctions on Russia. This change comes as Trump’s frustration grows regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's lack of serious engagement in discussions aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine.
President Trump had previously pledged to take swift action to halt the conflict but has faced challenges in doing so. A senior White House official revealed that Trump has agreed to some of Ukraine's requests for military aid, which were outlined in a detailed list presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in The Hague last month.
On Capitol Hill, key Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota), announced plans to introduce legislation this month. This legislation would empower Trump to impose sanctions on buyers of Russian energy exports. “We’re looking at Ukraine right now and munitions,” Trump stated to reporters ahead of a White House lunch with African leaders. This statement follows Trump's recent sharp criticism of Putin, expressing his discontent with the Russian leader's lack of meaningful dialogue.
Since Trump's phone conversation with Putin, Ukraine has faced some of the most intense attacks of the war, including a record barrage of 728 drones launched by Russia in a single night. Zelensky has consistently pushed for additional Patriot air defense missile systems, which he believes are essential for safeguarding Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
Last week, the future of U.S. military aid to Ukraine was cast into doubt when the Pentagon indicated it would review military stockpiles and assistance due to competing priorities. However, the White House clarified that the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had only decided to halt certain types of aid and not all military support. According to a senior White House official, shipments of weapons have not been formally paused and continue to flow to Ukraine.
The Pentagon's review of military assistance began in June under a framework established by Hegseth, which aimed to ensure that all types of munitions received additional scrutiny. This review is intended to align with Trump's objectives for Ukraine assistance. If the president desires to send military aid, the Pentagon is prepared to facilitate that, the senior defense official stated.
Republican leaders in Congress had previously expressed hesitations regarding sanctions legislation proposed by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut). This legislation aims to impose new sanctions on Russian energy buyers, with some lawmakers worried it could restrain Trump's diplomatic efforts. However, following the recent shift in Trump’s approach toward Moscow, both Johnson and Thune are now moving forward with the sanctions bill, emphasizing the need to send a clear message to Putin regarding his unwillingness to negotiate peace.
Thune highlighted that lawmakers have made considerable progress on the sanctions proposal, which could be ready for a vote this month. The bill seeks to curtail Russia's energy revenue by imposing significant tariffs on U.S. imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and uranium. With over 80 sponsors in the Senate, bipartisan support for tougher measures against Russia is evident.
Several Republican senators have raised concerns about the temporary pause in military aid to Ukraine and have commended Trump for his apparent reversal on the matter. Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) emphasized the importance of providing Ukraine with necessary resources to withstand Russian aggression, while Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) criticized the administration's inconsistent support for military assistance.
The uncertainty surrounding U.S. military aid to Ukraine has been exacerbated by shifting policies as Trump attempts to apply pressure on both Zelensky and Putin. Analysts have pointed out that the U.S. has not firmly committed to a coherent strategy regarding Ukraine and the ongoing conflict.
As the war continues, Ukraine's dependency on U.S. military aid has decreased. Experts note that the nature of Ukraine's battlefield needs has changed over the course of the conflict, and many resources can now be sourced from European countries. “The reality is Ukraine is far less dependent on the U.S. for day-to-day battlefield needs right now,” stated Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Europeans can substitute for us in many areas, and in others, they may need to procure new production from U.S. defense contractors.”
