Without fanfare, Trump quietly approves $30 million more in arms for Ukraine amid rising global tensions

US president Donald Trump's administration has quietly informed Congress of its approval for a new arms transfer to Ukraine, valued at approximately $30 million, reported Kyiv Post.

New Arms Transfer Comes Amid Congressional Scrutiny

The approval of the proposed transfer of “major defense equipment” came as US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth completed his multi-day spree of testimony on Capitol Hill, with the aim to convince lawmakers that the current administration continued to “send presidential drawdown authorities” (PDA) to Ukraine without offering further details, reported Kyiv Post.

A Trump administration official, who is part of the Executive Branch’s communications with Congress, told Kyiv Post that US military aid for Ukraine under the Arms Export Control Act “has not stopped despite brief interruptions earlier this year," as per the report.

Ukraine Aid Freeze and Reversal Tied to Ceasefire Talks

According to the report, Trump had frozen all military aid to Ukraine in March and then lifted the block shortly afterwards, following ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia.

Trump Administration's Quiet Approval of $242 Million For Aid

While the Trump administration had also quietly approved another $242 million proposed arms transfer for Ukraine last month, reported Kyiv Post, citing sources.

Lawmakers Push for Transparency and Action

When Hegseth was asked by Democrat Senator Chris Coons (D-CT) why the administration was not using the previously approved remaining $3.8 billion in PDA to send additional air defense capabilities to Kyiv, during a Senate committee hearing, he said that the flow of weapons from earlier commitments was continuing but did not give any other details, as per the report.

Coons told the Pentagon head that “We should not be pursuing a ceasefire and a negotiated resolution to the war in Ukraine at any cost,” adding, “Peace through strength means actually using our strength, continuing to support Ukraine and securing a lasting peace. Putin will only stop when we stop him, and the best way to stop him is indeed through a stronger NATO,” quoted Kyiv Post.

FAQs

How much is the new aid package worth?
The latest approved package is valued at around $30 million and includes what’s described as “major defense equipment.”

Has the US stopped military aid to Ukraine?
No, despite a brief pause in March, aid has resumed. An official said support under US arms laws continues.