Trump says US will send more weapons to Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine, primarily defensive ones, to help the war-torn country defend itself against intensifying Russian advances, Reuters reported.

Washington's decision to halt some weapons shipments to Kyiv prompted it to warn the move would crimp its ability to fend off Russia's air strikes and battlefield advances, while drawing criticism from Democrats and some of Trump’s fellow Republicans, according to Reuters.

"We're going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves," Reuters quoted Trump as telling reporters at the White House at the start of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"They're getting hit very hard now," he added. "We're going to have to send more weapons, defensive weapons, primarily."

In a statement the U.S. Defense Department later said it would send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine at Trump's direction, to ensure the Ukrainians can defend themselves while efforts continue to secure a lasting peace.