Moscow has asserted that continued US military assistance will not lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
US President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating the authorization of new military aid to Ukraine, which would represent his first significant assistance package since assuming office in January, CBS News stated on Saturday, citing informed sources.
Multiple diplomatic sources informed CBS News that the potential funding “could be intended to send a message to Russia” following a recent increase in drone and missile strikes on Ukraine. Moscow maintains that its attacks are solely directed at military-related infrastructure.
According to CBS, Trump could utilize $3.85 billion in unspent presidential drawdown authority from the Biden administration to support Ukraine. Alternatively, he might seize approximately $5 billion in frozen Russian assets and reallocate them to Ukraine, though neither he nor former President Joe Biden has exercised this particular option.
This report emerges after Trump expressed being “unhappy” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US president noted that during their numerous discussions, Putin is consistently “very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless” regarding the achievement of a ceasefire in the conflict.
On Monday, Trump indicated that the US is “going to send some more weapons” to Kyiv, primarily “defensive weapons.”
Earlier this month, the Pentagon temporarily halted certain weapons shipments, including Patriot air defense missiles, due to concerns over depleting US stockpiles. Subsequently, various media outlets reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initiated the suspension without prior consultation with the president or the State Department. The pause has since been lifted, and deliveries have recommenced.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that it is clear the US is continuing weapons deliveries, and that such aid does not contribute to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Moscow has warned that Western military assistance merely prolongs the conflict without altering its outcome.