PRESIDENT TRUMP on Monday pivoted in favor of Ukraine, arranging for U.S. weapons to be delivered to Kyiv and threatening new sanctions on Moscow if Russia's war stretches later in the year.
Speaking in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump outlined the parameters of a deal to sell U.S.-manufactured weapons to NATO, with the expectation that they’ll be delivered to Ukraine.
The systems include Patriot missile defense batteries, which are seen as critical for Ukraine’s defenses as it seeks to guard its skies from Russian bombardment.
Trump cast the agreement as a win for the U.S., which has approved more than $175 billion in aid for Ukraine since the war started in 2022. It comes after most NATO countries agreed to ramp up their defense spending.
“We are going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump said.
The president also set a 50-day deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the war.
If the war continues beyond that period, Trump said he’d slap 100 percent tariffs on countries that trade with Russia, known as secondary tariffs.
“The country’s economy is going very poorly, and he’s got to get his economy back. He’s got to save his economy,” Trump said.
However, Trump cast doubt on a bipartisan sanctions bill on Russia that currently has 85 co-sponsors in the Senate. That bill would implement 500 percent tariffs on Russia and their economic partners.
“I’m not sure we need it, but it’s certainly good they’re doing it,” Trump said, adding that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) would be at the White House later Monday to discuss the matter.
Throughout the press conference, Trump repeatedly expressed frustration with Putin, accusing him of agreeing to wind down the war during their private conversations, only to follow with another bombing campaign.
“I always hang up and say… 'Well that was a nice phone call,' and then missiles launch into Kyiv or some other city,” Trump said.
“That happens three or four times, you realize the talk doesn’t mean anything,” he added.
Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, met Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
“We hope for U.S. leadership, as it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its unreasonable ambitions are curbed through strength,” Zelensky said in a statement. “I thank Keith Kellogg for this visit to Ukraine. I am grateful to President Trump for the important signals of support and the positive decisions for both our countries. We deeply value the support of the American people.”
The Hill’s Laura Kelly has everything you need to know about the U.S.-NATO weapons deal here.