WASHINGTON/KYIV — U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that the United States will send additional weapons to Ukraine, following recent Russian advances and mounting pressure on Kyiv’s military defenses. The announcement came just days after the White House unexpectedly paused certain arms shipments, causing concern in Kyiv.

“We’re going to have to send more weapons — defensive weapons primarily,” Trump told reporters from the White House. “They’re getting hit very, very hard,” he added, while also stating he was “not happy” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump’s remarks come amid fresh escalation in the conflict. Russia on Monday claimed to have captured Dachne, a village in Ukraine’s strategic Dnipropetrovsk region, marking what it called a significant breakthrough after months of fighting. Kyiv has not confirmed any loss of territory but acknowledged that the situation in the region remains “difficult.”

Earlier, Ukrainian forces said they had repelled multiple Russian attacks near Dachne and other parts of Dnipropetrovsk, a key industrial and mining hub. The region, while not among the five areas Moscow officially claims as part of Russia, has increasingly come under attack from Russian air and missile strikes.

Ukrainian officials say the pressure is mounting. Over the weekend, Russia launched a heavy wave of drones and missiles across Ukraine, targeting military infrastructure, including recruitment centers. In response, Kyiv confirmed it had carried out a drone strike on a Russian ammunition factory near Moscow.

Mixed Signals from Washington

Last week’s decision by the Trump administration to pause some weapons shipments—initially promised under former President Joe Biden—had alarmed Ukrainian leaders, who have relied heavily on U.S. military aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

The White House said the suspension was due to a reassessment of U.S. defense priorities and ongoing military aid programs. It did not specify which weapons systems were affected.

Trump, now in his second term, has taken a markedly different approach to Ukraine compared to Biden. He has criticized the scale of previous aid packages, which totaled over $65 billion under the Biden administration, and has instead emphasized the need for peace negotiations.

Though Trump has held calls with Putin urging a ceasefire, Russia has shown little interest in diplomatic solutions, demanding that Ukraine surrender more territory as a condition for ending the war.

Kyiv Appeals for Continued Support

Despite the uncertainty, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains focused on securing ongoing assistance. On Monday, he reiterated that strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses remains a top priority. “We are counting on our partners to fully deliver on what we have agreed,” Zelensky said.

Explosions were reported overnight in the southern city of Mykolaiv, where drone threats remained active. According to local officials, shelling caused a fire on the outskirts of the city and left one man injured.

Military analyst Oleksiy Kopytko noted that Russia’s recent push into Dnipropetrovsk is likely part of a broader effort to create a buffer zone and strain Ukraine’s already stretched defensive lines. “Our troops are holding their ground quite steadily,” he said, while acknowledging that the challenges are growing.

As the war enters its fourth year, Ukraine faces not only the threat of renewed Russian offensives but also the challenge of navigating shifting political winds in Washington. Trump’s promise of renewed military support may ease some concerns for now, but uncertainty lingers over the future of U.S. involvement in the conflict.