The United States will arm Ukraine with missiles, air defense weapons, and ammunition, President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte announced on Monday. Trump also warned Russia of heavy tariffs if there is no ceasefire within fifty days.
Trump said at a press moment in the Oval Office that Ukraine can count on “billions” of dollars in extra arms deliveries. This includes at least the coveted Patriot air defense systems. The first Patriots would be shipped “within a few days.” It is unclear whether Ukraine will also receive long-range weapons. In addition to air defense weapons, this is Kyiv’s other major wish.
Europe must pay for the weapons, says Rutte. The NATO chief, who speaks of “enormous numbers of weapons,” says that Trump called on Thursday and said that he wants to give Ukraine what it needs. But that he asked the Europeans to pay for it. “European countries buy the weapons from the US, after which they can help Ukraine.” The weapons are sent to Ukraine via the NATO countries.
Rutte says that he has been in contact with several European countries, including the Netherlands, and that they are ready to respond to the American offer. The Dutch Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that it was “willing” to look at possible new opportunities to purchase American weapons for Ukraine.
Trump had so far not wanted to give Ukraine new weapons and impose no additional sanctions on Russia. With this, he hoped to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to conclude a ceasefire. But Trump’s patience is running out, he says.
“I call him very often and they are very nice conversations. But as soon as I hang up, he immediately starts bombing cities again,” Trump said.
Trump threatens Russia with ‘very heavy tariffs’
At the same press conference, Trump threatened the Russians with “very heavy tariffs” if they do not conclude a deal on a ceasefire in Ukraine within fifty days. He says he is “very unhappy” with Putin’s attitude.
According to the American president, these are “secondary levies.” This means that countries that import sanctioned goods from Russia are also affected by the sanctions. “If we don’t have an agreement within fifty days, it’s very simple and the tariffs are 100 percent.”