On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that Washington would be providing Patriot air defence systems to Kyiv and suggested the possibility of new sanctions against Russia. He reiterated his dissatisfaction with Russian leader Vladimir Putin regarding Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The announcement from the US president regarding the essential weapons for Ukraine followed his earlier indication of a forthcoming “major statement… on Russia” scheduled for Monday.
The announcement is anticipated during a busy diplomatic period on Monday, as the US special envoy embarks on a new trip to Ukraine, while Trump prepares to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington.
The offensive launched by Moscow against Ukraine has persisted for over three years, with a notable escalation in attacks observed this summer. Meanwhile, negotiations led by the United States have yet to produce any tangible outcomes to halt the ongoing conflict.
“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump stated on Sunday, though he did not clarify the number of weapons he plans to send to Ukraine.
“I have not finalised the number yet, but they will receive some, as protection is necessary,” he stated to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, following his attendance at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey.
The White House has reversed its earlier decision from this month regarding a pause in arms deliveries to Kyiv. Instead, it has unveiled a new agreement that will see NATO compensating the United States for certain weapons being sent to Ukraine.
Trump stated, “We are essentially going to provide them with various pieces of highly advanced military equipment, and they will pay us in full for it.”
“It will be business for us,” he stated.
This week, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine is nearing a multi-level agreement concerning new Patriot systems and associated missiles.
Trump reiterated his feelings of “disappointment” towards the Russian leader, reflecting his growing frustration with Putin.
Putin caught many off guard. “He speaks kindly, yet in the evening, he attacks everyone,” remarked a frustrated Trump.
Upon his return to the White House in January, Trump asserted his belief in the possibility of collaborating with the Russian leader to bring an end to the conflict, choosing not to escalate sanctions as European allies had done.
For several months, Russia has consistently rejected a ceasefire initiative put forth by both the United States and Kyiv.
In recent days, Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with Putin, and on Sunday, he suggested that he may be prepared to implement stricter sanctions as support builds for a deterrent package in Congress.
In response to enquiries regarding the potential announcement of sanctions against Russia, Trump stated, “We’re going to see what we will see tomorrow, OK?” Plans to meet with Rutte have been reiterated.
‘Sledgehammer’
On Sunday, US senators highlighted a bipartisan bill designed to equip Trump with “sledgehammer” sanctions aimed at Russia.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated in an interview with CBS News that the sanctions bill would empower Trump to target “Putin’s economy and all those countries who prop up the Putin war machine.”
Senator Graham stated that it “would give President Trump the ability to impose 500 per cent tariffs on any country that helps Russia,” noting that this could extend to economies such as China, India, or Brazil, which purchase Russian goods.
“This represents a significant tool at President Trump’s disposal to conclude this conflict,” remarked Graham.
Zelensky expressed confidence regarding the proposed bill in a recent X post, stating, “Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and ensure that diplomacy is not empty.”
On Monday night, Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal were scheduled to meet with NATO’s Rutte.
Blumenthal informed CBS News that discussions would also encompass the complex legal matter of unlocking frozen Russian assets in Europe and the United States for Ukraine’s benefit.
“The United States has access to USD 5 billion, and I believe the time has come to utilise it,” stated Blumenthal.
