**US to Send Weapons to Ukraine via NATO, Trump Announces**
In a significant development, US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will send weapons, including Patriot air defense systems, to Ukraine through NATO. The move comes after a surge in Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump said that the US would be sending Patriots to NATO, which would then distribute them to Ukraine. He added that NATO would pay for the weapons, with Germany and Norway already committed to covering part of the cost. Other European partners are also ready to help.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier spoken of having a “positive dialogue” with Trump on ensuring that arms arrived on time, particularly air defense systems. He had requested 10 Patriot systems, citing the need for effective protection against Russian attacks.
**Concerns Over Air Defenses**
The US decision to send weapons comes amid growing concerns over Ukraine’s air defenses. The country has been pounded by record numbers of drone attacks in recent weeks, with a record 728 drones hitting Ukrainian targets on Tuesday night. Zelensky had warned that Russia was planning to increase the number of drone attacks to 1,000.
The pause in shipments of critical weapons last week had raised concerns in Kyiv that air defenses could run low in a matter of months. The US defense department had halted some shipments, including Patriot interceptor missiles and precision artillery shells.
**Trump’s Shift on Ukraine Support**
The move marks a shift in Trump’s stance on supporting Ukraine. Since re-entering the White House in January, he has pushed to scale back US support for the country. However, this decision suggests that the US is committed to continuing its support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s frustration at the lack of progress towards ending the war with Russia. He said that the two had shared some new ideas about how the conflict could conclude, which he would take back to Trump.
**Major Announcement on Russia Expected**
Trump has announced a “major statement” on Russia for Monday, although details are scarce. Rubio declined to elaborate on what it might be about, adding only that the US is committed to finding a solution to the conflict.
The announcement comes as tensions between the US and Russia remain high. The two countries have been at odds over Ukraine’s sovereignty, with Russia launching a full-scale invasion in February 2022. The US has been urging both sides to reach an agreement to end the war.
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