Report: Trump Will Continue Arms Shipments to Ukraine

Credit: Presidential Press and Information Office

President-elect Donald Trump is planning to continue military aid to Ukraine after his return to the White House. The transition team has told some members of NATO that the incoming president plans to increase member states’ minimum military spending levels to more than double the current amount. 

The Financial Times reports, “In a boost for allies deeply concerned over their ability to support and protect Ukraine without Washington’s backing, Trump now intends to maintain US military supplies to Kyiv after his inauguration.”

On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to end the war in Ukraine and cut the massive military spending on weapons transfers to Kiev. As a candidate, he never publicly stated his plan to end the war but claimed he would do it during his first day in office.

Officials speaking with FT about Trump’s current thinking said, he has no plans to end weapons shipments to Ukraine even after the war. The president-elect “believes Ukraine should never be given membership of NATO, and wants an immediate end to the conflict” It continues, “The president-elect believed that supplying weapons to Kyiv after a ceasefire would ensure a “peace through strength” outcome.”