WASHINGTON — The United States is selling weapons to its NATO allies in Europe so they can provide them to Ukraine as it struggles to fend off a recent escalation in Russia’s drone and missile attacks, President Donald Trump and his chief diplomat said.

The US president said he will send weapons to Nato, which he said would pay and then give the weapons to Ukraine.

The arrangement allows Ukraine to get weapons it needs in its war with Russia while providing a way for Europe to increase its defense spending as promised.