Washington, D.C. | July 14, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new arms deal for Ukraine and issued a sharp warning to Russia, threatening to impose “very severe tariffs” within 50 days if President Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Speaking from the White House on Monday alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump confirmed the United States would send “billions of dollars” worth of military equipment to NATO, which would then oversee its distribution to Ukraine.
“In a nutshell, we’re going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they’ll be sent to NATO,” Trump said, adding that the funding for the weapons would come from NATO member countries.
Among the weapons included in the deal are Patriot air defence systems, a critical upgrade for Ukraine’s defence against near-nightly Russian missile and drone attacks.
Trump, who campaigned in 2024 on a pledge to end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours, expressed growing frustration over Putin’s refusal to accept a ceasefire or engage in meaningful peace talks.
“If Putin doesn’t sign a peace deal, we’re going to hit them with secondary tariffs—100 percent tariffs,” Trump said. “He knows what a fair deal is.”
Tensions Rise as War Grinds On
The Kremlin has consistently rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire, saying a 30-day pause would only allow Ukraine to regroup and rearm. Trump’s increasingly blunt language reflects growing U.S. impatience. Just last week, he accused Putin of feeding America “a lot of b******.”
Trump also expressed exasperation with the dissonance between his diplomatic conversations with Putin and Russia’s continued military aggression.
“My conversations with him are always very pleasant… Then I go home and the first lady says, ‘Oh really? Another city just got hit.’”
Trump did not confirm whether long-range offensive weapons would be part of the package but said the U.S. would redeploy Patriot systems from around the world for NATO to allocate.
NATO Welcomes Move
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised the move as a significant show of force and unity, saying:
“If I were Vladimir Putin today and heard what President Trump just announced, I’d seriously reconsider my position.”
Rutte confirmed the incoming weapons would include missiles, ammunition, and advanced air defences, offering a critical lifeline to Ukraine.
Kyiv Responds With Cautious Optimism
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Trump’s support during his nightly video address, thanking the U.S. and stating that discussions were ongoing for “major defence agreements”, though he declined to give details.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Ukraine, Rory Challands, noted that if the Patriots do arrive, they will “go a long way in protecting Ukrainian skies” from the constant bombardment of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones.
Kremlin and Russian Reaction
The Russian government downplayed the development, insisting dialogue remains its priority. However, domestic sentiment in Russia appeared mixed.
“There were hopes that Trump would help end the conflict,” said Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova from Moscow. “But now, pro-war sources are saying, ‘You see? Trump was never our friend.’”
Behind the Shift: Mounting Pressure
Analysts say Trump’s shift in tone comes after months of failed diplomatic efforts and images of Ukrainian civilian suffering shown to him by close advisers.
“Trump gave Putin six months,” said Melinda Haring of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. “He stuck his neck out, and now he feels betrayed.”
As Washington ramps up its military support, all eyes are now on Moscow’s response—whether to escalate further or come to the negotiating table.
![Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over Ukraine President Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict. “I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said. PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against Hamas While both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.” Starmer's previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense Spending Once a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending. “I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense. Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in Focus Trump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel Firing Trump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion: The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.](https://trendbrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-AND-KEIR-STARMER.webp)