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Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter

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Defense &
National Security

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The Big Story

US strikes deal to send Ukraine weapons through NATO

President Trump has announced that a deal was struck with NATO to send weapons to Ukraine, with the military alliance bearing the brunt of the cost.

“We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 percent,” he said in a phone interview with NBC News. “So, what we’re doing is, the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons [to Ukraine], and NATO is paying for those weapons.”

The president added that the deal was struck in June at the NATO summit in The Hague.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. is talking to multiple countries in Europe, including Spain and Germany, that have Patriot batteries — a key element in the defense system used to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles — about sending them over to Kyiv.

“Well, the Spaniards have them. They’re really far from Ukraine and they have one. The Germans have, others have them — I’m not singling them out, but I’m just telling you those are two that I know,” Rubio told reporters while in Malaysia after his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “There are other Patriot batteries, and there are other opportunities.”

The conversation comes as the president intensified his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent days, saying the two leaders have made “no progress” on brokering a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Trump also said he does not think Putin is looking to halt the war in Eastern Europe, which has been ongoing since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Trump administration restarted sending some defense weapons to Ukraine on Monday, days after the Defense Department ordered a pause on delivering some air defense missiles and munitions, citing concerns of U.S. stockpiles being depleted.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he spoke with Trump on Thursday and has pushed allies within the alliance to send weapons to Ukraine.

Read the full report at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

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Essential Reads

How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future:

NATO will need more long-range missiles to deter Russia, US general says

As Russia intensifies its assault on Ukraine, NATO and European countries need to increase production of long-range weapons, U.S. Maj. Gen. John Rafferty told Reuters.
“The Russian army is bigger today than it was when they started the war in Ukraine,” said Rafferty, who was interviewed in Germany.

Full Story

Senate panel approves $500M of Ukraine aid

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved a $500 million defense assistance package for Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia. On Wednesday, the committee voted for the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a yearly bill to fund the Department of Defense (DOD). In a 26-1 vote, the committee extended the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028, adding $200 million for 2026.

Full Story

Rubio discusses new idea for Ukraine peace talks in meeting with Lavrov

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he discussed a new idea for a potential Ukraine ceasefire during a Thursday meeting with his counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Rubio, who also serves as President Trump’s national security adviser, confirmed that Lavrov presented new ideas about Ukraine peace negotiations during the 50-minute meeting.

Full Story

Appeals court tosses 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed plea deal

A panel of federal appeals court judges on Friday threw out a plea agreement in a 2-1 decision that would have allowed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other co-defendants to plead guilty in exchange for escaping the federal death penalty. The deal, negotiated over two years, would have given Mohammed and the co-defendants life without parole.

Full Story

On Our Radar

Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio returns tomorrow from Kuala Lumpur.
U.S. Marines and Army soldiers will take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise from July 13 to Aug. 4.

In Other News

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Swalwell: ICE agents would ‘have more credibility’ without masks

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Wednesday for wearing masks as they carry out the Trump administration’s escalating crackdown on illegal immigration. “These ICE agents would do themselves a lot of favor and have more credibility if they …

Full Story

On Tap Monday

Events in and around the defense world:

The House Rules Committee will meet on the fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations bill at 4 p.m. local time

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets:

The real trouble with America’s flip-flop on Ukrainian weapons (The Atlantic)
Pentagon withdraws admiral’s nomination to lead Pacific Fleet amid renewed attention on drag shows (Military.com)

Trending Today

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

New poll delivers troubling signs for Democrats

The Democratic Party’s credibility with voters has plummeted even further since the 2024 election, raising alarm bells as the party looks to … Read more

GOP senators question Hegseth’s leadership after weapons ‘goof-up’

Republican senators say reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth froze weapons shipments to Ukraine without getting approval from President Trump … Read more