Trump on Monday said the United States would ship "billions of dollars' worth" of military equipment to NATO members, paid for by the alliance, to be handed over to Ukrainian forces battling grinding Russian advances. Trump had earlier this month suggested NATO would "100 percent" pay for U.S. weapons, which would be sent to Ukraine.

When US President Donald Trump said he would make a “major statement” on Russia, it led to speculation he might tap nearly $4 billion in unused US military aid for Ukraine or finally slap sanctions on Moscow and its major trading partners.