Reuters first reported the approval, citing two sources who said Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby had authorised up to two $500 million shipments under PURL. These would include air defence systems sought by Kyiv to counter Russia’s increased drone and missile attacks.
President Trump had first said in July that a deal was reached with NATO to send weapons to Ukraine, with the Western alliance covering the full cost. “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 percent,” he told NBC News. “So, what we’re doing is, the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons [to Ukraine], and NATO is paying for those weapons.”
The announcement followed a temporary pause by the Pentagon earlier this year on some defensive shipments, including air defence missiles and munitions, due to concerns over U.S. stockpiles.
Until now, the Trump administration had only sold weapons to Ukraine or delivered tranches previously authorised by former President Biden. As Trump increased criticism of Russia’s resistance to ceasefire talks and its continued attacks, his stance on supplying Kyiv with weapons shifted.
Source: The Hill.
