Trump weighs expanding U.S. backing for Ukraine amid intensified Russian attacks

Amid relentless Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and mounting civilian casualties, President Donald Trump is assessing how far to extend U.S. military support for Ukraine. The discussion now focuses on whether to supply Tomahawk cruise missiles and more Patriot air-defense systems, despite the strain on U.S. stockpiles used for other threats. While Trump’s campaign pledged to end American spending on Ukraine, he has largely channeled assistance through European allies that buy and forward U.S. weapons.

At the same time, his tone toward President Volodymyr Zelensky has become more conciliatory as Kyiv’s forces achieve battlefield successes. Proponents note that expanding aid would continue Trump’s initial policy of providing anti-tank missiles and would deliver strategic, pragmatic, and moral benefits, weakening Russia’s global reach while reinforcing deterrence against other adversaries.