U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the first military aid package for Ukraine that will be funded by European nations, marking a major shift in U.S. policy. The move follows Trump’s July announcement that the United States would no longer provide weapons to Ukraine free of charge. Instead, the U.S. would only sell arms—either directly to Ukraine or to European allies willing to cover the costs.
According to a Reuters report, two separate arms deliveries, each worth up to $500 million, were approved for Ukraine under this new arrangement. While the exact contents of the shipments remain undisclosed, officials believe they are likely to include long-range rocket artillery and advanced air defense systems, which have been at the top of Ukraine’s requests.
This comes after an August report that the Trump administration would supply 3,550 extended-range cruise missiles worth $825 million, also financed by Europe. It is not yet clear whether those missiles are part of the newly approved packages.
Trump has framed the new approach as part of his “America First” agenda, stressing that American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for Ukraine’s defense. He has argued that Europe, which he views as having greater immediate stakes in the conflict, should bear the financial burden of supporting Kyiv. Critics, however, both in the U.S. and abroad, have suggested that the policy still keeps Washington heavily entangled in the conflict by ensuring the U.S. remains the primary supplier of advanced weapons systems.
Trump’s approach also reflects his contentious relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a high-profile Oval Office meeting on February 29, Trump reportedly told Zelensky he had “empowered” him to be a “tough guy” only because of U.S. backing. While the shift in funding responsibility may change the optics, analysts note that as long as European partners continue paying for U.S. weapons, Kyiv’s access to advanced arms will remain largely unchanged.
Still, some Republican critics argue that the new policy risks prolonging the war by emboldening Zelensky to reject potential compromises. The decision highlights Trump’s attempt to walk a fine line: reducing U.S. financial exposure while continuing to shape the battlefield through control over weapons sales.