Trump to send more weapons to Ukraine – here's how America First policy shapes decision

The United States will dispatch additional defensive weapons to Ukraine, President Trump has announced – reversing a temporary pause on arms shipments – following telephone talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

At a White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Trump told reporters:  "We're going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves."

The US president had a phone conversation on Friday with President Putin, saying afterwards he was "very disappointed … I don't think he's looking to stop" the war.

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A later call with Mr Zelensky saw the Ukrainian leader reaffirm a joint push to strengthen Ukraine's air defence systems, including joint defence production, purchases and investments.

Since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with nearly $66bn in security assistance, providing advanced systems like HIMARS and Patriots, along with Abrams tanks.

Mr Trump has criticised the scale of military aid provided to Ukraine by the previous administration, saying: "Biden emptied out our whole country, giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves."

In March, he had temporarily halted the flow of US weapons to Ukraine and paused the sharing of intelligence after a tense televised Oval Office meeting between the US and Ukrainian leaders. 

Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has reinstated a more selective approach to foreign military aid. 

In a statement confirming Ukraine getting additional military aid, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said: "Our framework for POTUS to evaluate military shipments across the globe remains in effect and is integral to our America First defense priorities."

What is 'America First'?

The phrase 'America First' was originally coined by US President Woodrow Wilson in his 1916 campaign to keep the country out of the First World War. 

The term was then picked up by isolationist groups opposing US entry into the Second World War, most notably the America First Committee in 1940-41.

It was revived by Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and became a core principle of his foreign and defence policy.

In military terms, America First means prioritising US strategic interests, ensuring domestic stockpiles remain intact, and requiring allies to contribute more to their own defence.

Critics argue the approach risks weakening international alliances, particularly Nato. 

The framework remains central to the Trump administration's decision-making on military aid.

According to the Pentagon, all overseas shipments – including those to Ukraine – must now be evaluated against this policy.