Following the transition to the Trump administration in January 2025, U.S. military aid to Ukraine underwent a major shift, with a significant decrease in direct U.S.-funded arms shipments. New security assistance is now largely provided through a NATO-coordinated mechanism, with U.S. weapons being paid for by allied nations.
Transition in U.S. aid strategy
- Trump administration policy: Upon taking office, President Trump suspended new military aid to Ukraine and prioritized a negotiated peace agreement. He has not sought congressional approval for new U.S.-funded assistance packages.
- Final Biden-era delivery: The last package under the Biden administration was a $500 million military aid shipment in January 2025.
- Aid resumption: After a brief suspension in July 2025, the U.S. resumed security assistance, but with a new funding model.
New weapons procurement mechanism (PURL)
To maintain the flow of U.S. weapons to Ukraine, a new funding program called the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) was established in July 2025.
- Allies pay: The PURL mechanism operates by having NATO allies and other partners, including Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, pledge funds to purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine.
- First deliveries: In September 2025, Ukraine received the first shipment of U.S. weapons under the PURL program, which included missiles for Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS rocket launchers.
- Weapon purchases: A major arms sale approved in August 2025 under this framework allows Ukraine to buy up to 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and related equipment at an estimated cost of $825 million.
Potential for advanced weapon systems
- Tomahawk missile consideration: In October 2025, President Trump indicated he might consider sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Russia's aggression continues. These missiles have a range of up to 2,500 km and could target deep inside Russian territory.
- Russian response: Russia has warned that the delivery of Tomahawk missiles would be a "serious escalation".
Types of U.S. equipment provided under various programs
Despite changes in funding, U.S. equipment continues to reach Ukraine through the PURL mechanism and long-term contracts under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
- Recent deliveries (through PURL): Include missiles for HIMARS rocket launchers and Patriot air defense systems.
- Ongoing deliveries (through USAI): Shipments from earlier USAI contracts, which provide funds for Ukraine to procure weapons from U.S. manufacturers, are expected to continue through 2025.
- Older weapon systems: Equipment already provided to Ukraine from U.S. stockpiles under previous administrations remains in use, including HIMARS, howitzers, and artillery ammunition
