Pivots have been jarring, particularly for those whose criticism of military aid was central to their political brand

President Trump is now supporting a plan to send advanced weapons — including Patriot missiles — to NATO for delivery to Ukraine, marking a dramatic reversal after months of uncertainty about U.S. support.

The change in Trump’s approach may also mean that the $US8 billion (£6 billion) of frozen Russian assets in the US (and US$223 billion in Europe) could be released to aid Ukraine, which would provide a ready means to pay for the US arms transfers.

President Donald Trump announced this week that the U.S. will send Patriot air-defense missiles to Ukraine and threatened new tariffs on Russia. Will Vladimir Putin back down? What should Trump's next move be? And what does the future hold for Ukraine? Newsweek contributors Daniel R. DePetris and Dan Perry debate:

President Donald Trump today announced a new plan to increase sales of U.S. weapons to Europe in order to help support Ukraine, and promised aggressive new tariffs—perhaps as high as 100%—aimed at Russia’s trading partners should it fail to reach a peace deal in the next 50 days.

On July 14 U.S. President Donald Trump announced a significant shift in U.S. policy toward ending the war in Ukraine, unveiling a new plan to boost military support for Kyiv while increasing pressure on Moscow.

The US Senate Armed Services Committee has approved $500 million in security assistance for Ukraine in the draft 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amid reports that President Donald Trump could separately announce a new round of aid for the embattled country.

New provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act aim to prevent unilateral Pentagon decisions on Ukraine aid after Trump's oscillating support and sudden aid withdrawals.

The reshuffle came just as Trump announced a new program to sell weapons to Ukraine in his most forceful declaration of support for Kyiv to date.