WASHINGTON DC: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to send advanced weaponry to Ukraine via NATO allies and warned Russia of harsh tariffs if a peace agreement isn’t reached within 50 days.
“We want Ukraine to be in a position to make its own decisions,” Trump said after meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.
Rutte confirmed the U.S. will provide substantial military aid to Ukraine through NATO channels, while European countries are expected to cover the costs. As part of the plan, European nations will send their Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, with the U.S. providing replacements.
Although details about the specific weapons were not disclosed, Rutte mentioned that the aid package includes “missiles and ammunition.” Trump described the arms as “top-of-the-line weapons” worth billions, set to be rapidly deployed to Ukraine’s front lines.
“If I were Vladimir Putin today, I’d think twice about ignoring the possibility of serious negotiations on Ukraine,” Rutte added, with Trump agreeing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later said on X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken with Trump and expressed gratitude for his support in seeking peace and protecting Ukrainian lives.
“We discussed the tools and actions needed to shield civilians from Russian attacks and to reinforce our defenses. We’re committed to working as effectively as possible toward a just and lasting peace,” Zelensky said.
(With inputs from BBC)
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