On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russia to resolve its conflict with Ukraine within 50 days or face severe new economic sanctions, while also detailing plans for increased military support to Kyiv.
“We are extremely dissatisfied with Russia,” Trump stated during a meeting with NATO leader Mark Rutte at the White House.
He warned, “If we do not reach an agreement within 50 days, we will impose very high tariffs, around 100%.” Trump explained that these would be “secondary tariffs” aimed at Russia’s remaining trade allies, intending to significantly undermine Moscow’s capacity to cope with existing sweeping Western sanctions.
Additionally, Trump and Rutte announced a plan for NATO to procure arms from the United States, which would include Patriot missile systems, to be supplied to Ukraine as it defends itself against the Russian invasion. “This involves billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment being bought from the U.S. and quickly sent to the battlefield through NATO,” Trump said.
Rutte, who previously served as the Dutch prime minister, mentioned that the agreement would provide Ukraine with “huge quantities” of weaponry.
Following his second term inauguration in January, Trump attempted to mend ties with Putin, aiming to fulfill his campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine swiftly. However, fears grew in Kyiv that Trump was betraying Ukraine, especially after incidents in February where Trump’s team criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a White House meeting.
In recent weeks, Trump has shown increasing exasperation with Putin as the Russian leader intensified his attacks rather than halting the invasion. Trump mentioned, “I don’t want to label him as an assassin, but he certainly is a tough individual.”
Last week, Trump hinted at making a significant announcement regarding Russia on Monday. He clarified on Sunday that the U.S. would be dispatching crucial Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine to help counter the heightened Russian strikes.
Moreover, Washington reversed a previous decision to temporarily halt some arms shipments to Kyiv.
Rutte’s visit to the White House marks his first since he referred to Trump as “daddy” during a NATO summit in The Hague last June.
In recent weeks, Moscow has conducted unprecedented drone and missile attacks, leading to a surge in Ukrainian civilian casualties, with June recording the highest numbers in three years according to United Nations data.
Trump’s Monday announcement coincided with the arrival of his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, in Kyiv for discussions with Zelensky. The Ukrainian president praised their “productive meeting,” which focused on “enhancing Ukraine’s air defense, joint manufacturing, and procurement of defense resources in collaboration with Europe.”
Zelensky expressed gratitude to Trump for his significant support and positive decisions benefiting both nations.
A Ukrainian soldier known as Grizzly, stationed in the war-affected eastern region, welcomed Trump’s commitment to provide new air defense systems. “Better late than never,” he stated, adding, “While we defend the front lines, our families lack protection. With the Patriots they are providing us, our families will feel safer.”
In the meantime, Russian forces reported on Monday the capture of new territory in eastern Ukraine, including two villages—one in the Donetsk region and another in Zaporizhzhia. They also reported the deaths of at least three civilians in the eastern Kharkiv and Sumy regions, according to local Ukrainian officials.
In Kyiv, Zelensky suggested a significant political reshuffling, proposing that Yulia Svyrydenko, the current economy minister, assume the role of Prime Minister. Svyrydenko remarked on social media that Ukraine is navigating a “critical moment.”
