**Trump Considers Sending New Funds to Ukraine for First Time Since Taking Office**
In a significant shift in his administration’s approach to military aid, US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering authorizing additional funding for Ukraine. This move comes after Russia escalated its attacks on the country, prompting rare criticism from the White House.
According to CBS News, multiple diplomatic sources have confirmed that Trump is weighing options to send new funds to Ukraine. This would be the first time since taking office that Trump has considered providing financial support to the embattled nation.
The news comes as a surprise, given Trump’s previous criticism of US military aid to Ukraine and his administration’s plan to reduce funding for the country in its upcoming defense budget. However, it appears that Trump’s attitude towards Russia has shifted, with him expressing frustration over Moscow’s escalating attacks on Ukraine.
**Possible Sources of Funding**
It is unclear where the new funds for Ukraine would come from, but officials have pointed out several possible options. Trump has around $3.85 billion remaining from former President Joe Biden’s Presidential Drawdown Authority, which could be used to fund Ukraine’s military efforts. Additionally, Trump has the power to confiscate approximately $5 billion in frozen Russian assets and channel those funds to Ukraine.
**Major Shift in Trump’s Administration**
Reports of new US aid for Ukraine come ahead of a major statement on Russia that Trump is expected to make on July 14. The statement could signal a new willingness by the White House to mount pressure on Moscow, which has been slow to take. Trump has previously worked out an agreement with NATO partners to transfer U.S. weapons to Ukraine, but it remains unclear how this would work.
**Rising Tensions with Russia**
Russia’s wave of mass attacks has drawn rare criticism from the White House, with Trump expressing disappointment in Moscow’s actions. The escalation in tensions has upended Trump’s hopes of securing a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
The move to provide additional funding for Ukraine comes as a welcome development for those advocating for greater support for the embattled nation. However, questions remain about the impact of US aid on the conflict and how this would be received by Moscow.
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