Trump to Use Presidential Authority for First Time to Send Weapons to Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump, for the first time since returning to office, will send weapons to Ukraine from American stockpiles, under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). The value of the aid could amount to around $300 million.

Reuters reported about this on July 10, citing two sources familiar with his decision.

The new military aid package may include interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, as well as “medium-range offensive missiles,” although a final decision on the specific equipment has not yet been made.

As noted by Reuters, so far, the Trump administration has only sent weapons authorized by former President Joe Biden, who was a staunch supporter of Kyiv.

Reuters recalled that the Presidential Drawdown Authority allowed the president to draw from weapons stocks to help allies in an emergency.

The U.S. has $3.86 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine remaining. The last drawdown was a $500 million award by Biden on January 9.

As noted by Reuters, Ukraine’s top priorities are Patriot missile interceptors and GMLRS mobile rocket artillery which may be included in the package. The weapons could be on the front lines within days because stocks are positioned in Europe.