The pause in critical weapons deliveries had come at a difficult moment for Ukraine, which has faced increasing — and more complex — air barrages from Russia during the more than three-year-old war.

Trump told NBC News that in a new deal, "we're going to be sending Patriots to Nato, and then Nato will distribute that", adding that Nato would pay for the weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the latest bombardment was largely repelled by interceptor drones, limiting casualties and damage.