In a stunning policy reversal, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to deliver “top-of-the-line” weapons to Ukraine via NATO and imposed a 50-day ultimatum on Russia to reach a ceasefire agreement or face 100% secondary tariffs. The shift marks the most forceful stance yet from Trump against Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has historically maintained warmer diplomatic ties.
Speaking at the White House during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump declared he was “very, very unhappy” with Russia, especially following what he described as a “deeply disappointing” phone call with Putin that preceded Russia’s heaviest bombardment of Kyiv since the war began.
The newly pledged weapons package is expected to include advanced Patriot air defence systems, with speculation that additional long-range offensive missiles and munitions capable of striking inside Russia may follow. While details remain sparse, what is clear is that the US will provide the hardware, while European allies will cover 100% of the cost—a financing model Trump insists is non-negotiable.
The announcement signals a dramatic departure from Trump’s earlier approach, where continued military support for Ukraine relied heavily on legacy shipments from the Biden administration. Trump has now fully authorised fresh US stock transfers, suggesting a hardening posture toward Russia and a newfound alignment with NATO partners—who he had previously criticised for underinvestment in defence.
Still, Trump struck a cautious tone regarding Ukraine’s outlook, warning Kyiv not to “feel emboldened” despite the influx of advanced weaponry. That remark, analysts suggest, reflects Trump’s transactional style of diplomacy—one that balances strategic aid with financial prudence and geopolitical calculation.
Alongside the military pledge, Trump issued a 50-day deadline for Moscow to reach a peace deal. Should Putin fail to comply, the US will implement secondary sanctions targeting Russia’s global trade partners, potentially impacting countries like China and India, which have continued commerce with Moscow since the war began. Trump said the tariffs would be “very severe,” amounting to 100% on any entity that enables or profits from Russia’s continued aggression.
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held what he described as “productive” talks with US envoy Keith Kellogg, with hopes that new defence systems would help bolster Ukraine’s vulnerable airspace. With over 160,000 square kilometres of contested territory and an already exhausted defence force, Ukraine is expected to welcome the support—but also remains wary of political conditions attached to it.
In Moscow, the Kremlin has reacted cautiously. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasised the importance of continued diplomatic dialogue, while Russian upper house deputy speaker Konstantin Kosachev dismissed Trump’s announcement as “much ado about nothing.” He added, “In 50 days so much can change on the battlefield—and in the moods of the powers that be in the US and NATO.”
Notably, Trump’s language toward NATO allies has also shifted. In contrast to past criticisms, he expressed appreciation for European cooperation, suggesting a possible recalibration of his administration’s stance on transatlantic alliances.
The US president’s unexpected turn against Russia comes amid mounting international pressure and a war that shows little sign of abating. With the 2024 US presidential election cycle heating up, Trump’s approach to the Ukraine conflict will be under intense scrutiny—especially as his policies begin to diverge sharply from both his past positions and his political rivals’.
As global stakeholders brace for the next 50 days, the world waits to see whether Moscow will yield to the pressure—or whether Trump’s hardline gamble will push the war into a more dangerous phase.
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