Trump Announces New Military Aid for Ukraine Amid Mixed Reactions from Kyiv and Moscow

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the delivery of billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine, including Patriot anti-aircraft batteries and interceptor missiles, in a move welcomed by politicians in Kyiv but met with skepticism and dismissal by officials in Moscow. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump said the missile systems would be paid for by European allies, with additional Patriot systems to arrive within days, funded by Germany and other NATO partners. Ukraine is believed to currently possess only six functioning Patriot batteries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude in a televised address, thanking Trump for his readiness to support Ukrainian efforts to protect civilian lives. Zelenskyy also confirmed a “productive” meeting in Kyiv with Trump’s special representative, Keith Kellogg, and said he had further discussions with both Trump and Rutte following the announcement. Andrii Kovalenko of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council summed up Kyiv's response with a single word: “Cool.” Ukrainian officials noted an improvement in U.S.-Ukraine relations since the contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in February.

However, skepticism persisted. A former Ukrainian military officer questioned whether the new aid package and Trump’s accompanying threat of sanctions against Russia in 50 days would have any meaningful impact on Moscow’s strategic calculations. Mariana Bezuhla, an independent MP and frequent critic of Zelenskyy’s administration, dismissed the announcement as a political game, accusing Trump of giving Russian President Vladimir Putin “another 50 days to seize Ukraine.” She criticized the move as offering Russia a carte blanche to advance toward eastern cities such as Dnipro and Kramatorsk.

In Moscow, senior officials and pro-war commentators downplayed the U.S. measures. Konstantin Kosachev, a senior lawmaker, described Trump’s ultimatum as “hot air,” suggesting the U.S. president could reverse his stance depending on developments over the next 50 days. Pro-Kremlin military blogger Yuri Podolyaka echoed that sentiment, noting the potential for Trump to change his position repeatedly. The Moscow stock index rose by more than 2.5% following Trump’s announcement, signaling market confidence that no immediate threat was posed. Russian state media had previously speculated that Trump might announce deliveries of long-range missiles capable of striking Moscow, a fear not realized in the actual announcement.

Despite public reassurances, some Russian voices acknowledged a notable shift in Trump’s approach to the conflict. Pro-Kremlin commentator Sergei Markov remarked that a “new reality on Ukraine began today with Trump’s statement,” observing that Trump now appears to be applying pressure solely on Russia and expressing clear support for Ukraine.

In Ukraine, frustration lingered over the Trump administration’s six-month delay in delivering meaningful military support, particularly as the country faces continued Russian bombardment. Last week, a seven-hour assault on Kyiv left two civilians dead, while Russia launched a record 741 drones and ballistic missiles across Ukraine. Journalist and blogger Illia Ponomarenko criticized Trump for failing to heed early warnings about Putin’s intentions, arguing that valuable time was lost and Ukrainian lives could have been spared. He accused Trump of naively believing he could achieve peace by accommodating an aggressor, instead of confronting the threat posed by the Russian leadership.