Trump approves weapon delivery to Ukraine, signals new sanctions on Russia

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has approved sending additional weapons to Ukraine and is considering new sanctions on Russia.

"We're sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I've approved that," Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the White House.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed Trump's approval of weapon deliveries. He said on Tuesday he has ordered an expansion of contacts with the U.S. to ensure critical deliveries of military supplies, primarily air defense. 

"Today, I instructed the minister of defense and the commander in chief to intensify all contacts with the American side," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.

"We currently have all the necessary political statements and decisions and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect our people and positions," he said.

Zelenskyy said the current focus for deliveries was on "air defense, as well as other elements of supply from the U.S." He added that the U.S. and Ukraine are preparing formats for meetings of their military and political teams this week.

Russia's military has in recent weeks boosted air attacks on Ukrainian cities by drones and missiles.

Trump again expressed disappointment at Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday over the failure to introduce a ceasefire as part of moves to secure a peace.

"I'm not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now," Trump said, noting that Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are dying in the thousands.

Trump said he is considering whether to support a bipartisan Senate bill that will impose sweeping sanctions on Russia.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday it would take time to "completely clarify" what weapons the U.S. was sending to Kyiv. "There is a lot of contradictory information out there," its spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said. 

He added that sending weapons to Ukraine will only extend the conflicts and accused Europe of "pumping" Ukraine with weapons.

(With input from agencies)